Conflict in "Barn Burning" Faulkner's Research Paper

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For the others, leaving the family is literally unthinkable.

In many ways, Abner is also symbolic. His anger comes from perceived injustices committed against him. In the first instance of arson encountered during the time of the story, his hog had broken loose and done some damage to another's property, and that man held the hog until he received a dollar in payment. Later that night, Abner burnt his barn down, not out of spite but because he felt he was persecuted in the manner of the hog. The same is truly later at Majr de Spain's, when he first burns the rug he feels he shouldn't have to clean, and then plans on burning down the whole plantation because of the judgment against him in the rug business. In this way, Abner Scnopes is a symbol of the frustrations of the poor itinerant farmer. Though there might not be anything overtly unfair such a farmer's situation, it can still smart that others have so much, and Abner is a symbol of the anger that perceived unfairness carries with it.

This interpretation is somewhat upheld by the Justice of the Peace's comment to Abner in passing judgment about the rug, when he says, "I'm going to find against you, Mr. Snopes. I'm going to find that you were responsible for the injury to Major de Spain's rug and hold you liable for it. But twenty bushels of corn seems a little high for a man in your circumstances to have to pay'" (Faulkner, 168). Referring to Abner Snopes with the generality of "a man in your circumstances" underlines the poverty of Abner and itinerant farmers as a while. Furthermore, it would usually be considered somewhat shameful to get out of a debt -- even partially -- by being poor; the Justice of the Peace is rubbing Mr. Snopes' poverty in his face.

At the same time, the Justice of the Peace is trying to be somewhat kind to Abner Snopes; the ten bushels of corn is half of what Major de Spain had asked for, and far less than the rug was worth.

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Seen in this light, Abner could also be considered a symbol of the nameless frustration and rage of adolescence. Though Abner himself is long past this age, his son Sarty is right in the middle of it. The story largely deals with Sarty's coming of age, which is harder than most but full of similar choices. The extremity of the Snopes' situation merely serves to heighten the problems that Sarty is facing without changing the nature of them. The story is told mainly from Sarty's point-of-view -- though a third person narrator actually does the telling of the story -- which strengthens this interpretation of the story. It is really a story about Sarty and his choice for a different life. As such, he reader sees Abner much as Sarty sees his father; Abner's anger threatens t consume himself and everyone around him. Sarty must decide whether e should accept this adolescent rage and frustration, or escape such destructive feelings and set out towards independence. The choice is one that everyone has to make at some point in their lives, Sarty's is just of a higher degree and more pressing need.

Ultimately, Sarty tells Major de Spain of his father's intention to burn down the plantation. He hears gunshots, and believes that this may mean his father and brother are dead. Sarty chose his own path instead of his family, and he knows that his family no longer exists for him. Instead, he must begin to make his own way in the world. He still cannot entirely let go of his family, however: "Father. My father, he thought. 'He was brave!' he cried suddenly" (Faulkner, 171). Though he might have escaped his father in the physical sense, he will remain a weight on Sarty's life for many….....

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