The Burning Issues in William Faulkner's Barn Burning

chillibreeze writer — Jayashree Ramaswamy

‘Barn burning’ is the story of a boy called Sarty Snopes and his father Abner Snopes. Set in post-civil-war America, the plot effectively portrays the inner struggle of the chief protagonist - Sarty.

William Faulkner opens the story with a scene in a village court. The Justice of peace is holding the trial of Abner Snopes. The petitioner is Harris, Abner's neighbour and the case in question is the burning down of Harris' barn. Did Abner Snopes burn the barn or did he not?

The boy Sarty has been an eye witness to this deed by his father, and not for the first time either. This sort of thing has happened before, but this time there is a possibility that he will be asked to testify….

As Sarty sits in the last row, almost hidden from public view, he is torn between the options before him. What should he say if he is called upon as a witness? His strong desire to be loyal to his father and their family is at war with his almost instinctive sense of fair play. He is confused and scared by his own partiality to truth and justice.

Fortunately, he need not make a choice just yet. He is bailed out by fate. The judge refuses to consider his testimony, but banishes the family nevertheless. Soon enough, Sarty, whose family has just moved to a different farmland on rent, receives a clear instruction. A stinging slap on the side of his head from his father, impresses on his smarting skin as well as on his mind, the ineluctable importance of holding one's duty to one's family above all else.

Does Sarty agree? He does - in principle, but does not know how to silence the voice of justice and fair play that reverberates in his head every time he witnesses his father's bitter behaviour towards fellow white people who are in better social circumstances.

Sarty finds his father's acts incomprehensible and avoidable. In his innocent and youthful mind, he is as yet unable to grapple with the power of jealous rage, humiliation and sense of failure that lurk in his father's heart.

Hereafter, the story uses compelling scenes involving an expensive French rug that belongs to the landlord, De Spain. Abner Snopes has deliberately defiled and spoiled it, provoking a bitter quarrel. Once again, there is a ruling from the court, and this time, ten bushels of corn are to be handed in compensation to the landlord. A tall order for a poor family such as the Snopes!

Even Sarty is tempted to help his father by hiding the corn from De Spain! But now Abner decides to play his old, dirty trick of burning the landlord's barn down. Sarty is now faced with a choice that sits heavy on his tender shoulders. Should he take his father's side and be a silent witness to his father's wicked plan or should he run away from it? But this time, his reaction is almost involuntary. It is only fair that the landlord at least receives a warning about the catastrophe that would befall him. Without a second thought, he runs, escaping his father's iron will and his mother's restraining hands.

When the whole episode ends with his father being shot to death, Sarty is crushed. Retracing his steps he sits on the slopes of a hill all through the dark night. He has his back to the house that is the home of his family, which includes his mother and aunt who had chosen to stay loyal to Abner, despite hating the fire-crimes he committed. He now hears the melodious songs of the birds wafting towards him from the shadowy woods. The guileless songs seem like guiding lights, willing him towards a free, open world, far away from his house that now holds within its bowels, bitter memories of his own inner conflict.

Does Sarty Snopes feel uplifted at this point? Was he finally convinced that the choice he had made was the right one, in the larger scheme of things? Was he able to comprehend the enormity of the price he had just paid in order to concur with the voice of his conscience? We shall never know….

It is with a sense of calm satisfaction that William Faulkner leaves us here. Through Sarty's decision, he validates our core belief that hatred and bitterness are choices and that it is possible to choose against them. This act will require of us, tremendous strength and spontaneity, no doubt.

The story's underlying message conforms to our idea of an ideal life, where the path to everything great and good is difficult and yet, that is the very path that we, who are no less confused than young Sarty Snopes, must choose.

The unfamiliar, dark woods scare us, like they scare Sarty. But the attraction of a more honest and habitable world that lies beyond, is strong. Many a time, choosing to walk the path might even involve turning our backs on everything that we hold to be precious and familiar – our own homes, families and a sense of loyalty.

A choice like this may fill life with some sadness perhaps, or even despair. But at least, such a life is devoid of fear. Even envisaging such a fearless life is blissful and soothing to our chaotic minds. This is the conclusive state of mind Faulkner leads us to.

Such a conclusion is devoid of all the ambient noise of judgments and opinions. It is almost inevitable. It gives us hope and lets us think, albeit for a few brief moments, that such a life is immensely practicable.

Works Cited
Faulkner William.Harper's Magazine. New York: Harper and Brothers Publications, June 1939

Chillibreeze's disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the views of Chillibreeze as a company. Chillibreeze has a strict anti-plagiarism policy. Please contact us to report any copyright issues related to this article.

Out of 5 “chilies”, our editorial team gave this article...

—About our writer:

Jayashree writes for chillibreeze.

The Burning Issues in William Faulkner's Barn Burning

>> Read more articles written by Chillibreeze writers: