The story of Barn Burning by William Faulkner had many themes, but loyalty and morals are the greatest challenges for a young boy who is torn between loyalty to his family and the morality of doing the right thing even if it meant going against his own father. As the story progresses you notice the changes in the boy’s rational thinking. He transitions from a boy scared into being loyal to his father to a morally correct being, later in the story.
Loyalty is something that was beaten into young Sartoris Snopes “Sarty” a ten-year old who was the son of a man named Abner Snopes. Abner often reminded Sarty about the importance of loyalty to family and at times he used force to get his point across. Young Sarty faced many challenges, but loyalty …show more content…
As the story begins, Sarty’s loyalty is already tested while summoned to the front of a small court/ justice of the peace setting to speak on behalf of his father. Although, Sarty knew his father was guilty he remained silent offering no information. While questioned, Sarty only continued to think, “Enemy! Enemy!” (para 1, page 2). Realizing the boy was useless and there was no evidence, Abner was acquitted of all accusations by the court, but given direct guidance to depart the county by nightfall. Another test of Sarty’s loyalty happens as he follows his father out of the building and Sarty hears a voice accusing Abner of being a “Barn Burner”; without hesitation Sarty lunges in the direction of the boy in attempt to defend his father’s name. Regardless of Sarty’s many attempts to prove his loyalty, his father still questioned his heart, as he did the night the family departed the county. Accusing his son of telling the truth earlier that day, Abner takes a shot and smacks his boy right on the side of his …show more content…
As we go back to the beginning, we see a scared ten-year old boy aware of his father’s crimes struggling between loyalty and morality. Sarty realizes that loyalty will never be enough for his father, as his morals are challenged again and again for the remainder of the story. On the night the family departed town, Abner accused and assaulted Sarty because he knew his son wanted to admit to the truth. When hit, Sarty thought to himself, " Later, twenty years later, he was to tell himself, " If I had said they wanted only truth, justice.” (para 2, page 4) Furthermore, he realized his father was weak and had trust issues. Another incident occurs, but this time Abner destroys a rug and when fined twenty bushels Sarty couldn’t help but to think, “Maybe this is the end of it. Maybe even that twenty bushels that seems hard to have to pay for just a rug will be a cheap price for him to stop forever and always from being what he used to.” (para 2, page 9) Sarty knows his father is guilty of the crimes he is being accused of and what he did was wrong, consequently the right thing to do would be to tell the truth. Unfortunately, Sarty already knows that if he does there would be reprisal. However, Abner again shows signs of another Barn Burning attempt, so Sarty finally choses the morally correct thing and runs ahead to warn the owner of what his father is on his way to do. After hearing gunshots, Sarty realizes that his
Loyalty is something that was beaten into young Sartoris Snopes “Sarty” a ten-year old who was the son of a man named Abner Snopes. Abner often reminded Sarty about the importance of loyalty to family and at times he used force to get his point across. Young Sarty faced many challenges, but loyalty …show more content…
As the story begins, Sarty’s loyalty is already tested while summoned to the front of a small court/ justice of the peace setting to speak on behalf of his father. Although, Sarty knew his father was guilty he remained silent offering no information. While questioned, Sarty only continued to think, “Enemy! Enemy!” (para 1, page 2). Realizing the boy was useless and there was no evidence, Abner was acquitted of all accusations by the court, but given direct guidance to depart the county by nightfall. Another test of Sarty’s loyalty happens as he follows his father out of the building and Sarty hears a voice accusing Abner of being a “Barn Burner”; without hesitation Sarty lunges in the direction of the boy in attempt to defend his father’s name. Regardless of Sarty’s many attempts to prove his loyalty, his father still questioned his heart, as he did the night the family departed the county. Accusing his son of telling the truth earlier that day, Abner takes a shot and smacks his boy right on the side of his …show more content…
As we go back to the beginning, we see a scared ten-year old boy aware of his father’s crimes struggling between loyalty and morality. Sarty realizes that loyalty will never be enough for his father, as his morals are challenged again and again for the remainder of the story. On the night the family departed town, Abner accused and assaulted Sarty because he knew his son wanted to admit to the truth. When hit, Sarty thought to himself, " Later, twenty years later, he was to tell himself, " If I had said they wanted only truth, justice.” (para 2, page 4) Furthermore, he realized his father was weak and had trust issues. Another incident occurs, but this time Abner destroys a rug and when fined twenty bushels Sarty couldn’t help but to think, “Maybe this is the end of it. Maybe even that twenty bushels that seems hard to have to pay for just a rug will be a cheap price for him to stop forever and always from being what he used to.” (para 2, page 9) Sarty knows his father is guilty of the crimes he is being accused of and what he did was wrong, consequently the right thing to do would be to tell the truth. Unfortunately, Sarty already knows that if he does there would be reprisal. However, Abner again shows signs of another Barn Burning attempt, so Sarty finally choses the morally correct thing and runs ahead to warn the owner of what his father is on his way to do. After hearing gunshots, Sarty realizes that his