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Barn Burning Character Analysis Essay

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Loyalty, compassion, and honesty, things that should be passed down from generation to generation. In the short story, Barn Burning by William Faulkner, the main character Sarty is battling his morality within himself. He knows the difference between right and wrong but yet he has a sense of loyalty he must contain towards his family. By examining the decisions set by his father, Sarty’s inner struggle and the strength it takes to stand up for oneself, it is clear that Sarty must make his own choices that will set him on his own path for the rest of his life. Colonel Sartoris Snopes, Sarty for short, is the small ten year old son of Abner Snopes. The story begins during a court session, Abner is there because he is being accused of sending …show more content…

When they arrive at their new home, Abner instructs the mother, aunt and two daughters to unload the wagon while the older brother is instructed to hold the horse reigns. As a child, you always look up to your parents and look to them for guidance. You follow their rules and do what they tell you to do. As you get older you start to become your own person and form your own thoughts and opinions about the things in the world. There is not a specific age this happens, it is different for everyone.
Abner takes Sarty with him to meet the landowner who he will be working for, Major de Spain. As they come upon the new big house, Sarty instantly feels a sense of joy and peace. He thinks that they will be safe from Abner’s wrath, one that seems to be the eventual outcome of every place they live. “Maybe he will feel it too. Maybe it will even change him now from what maybe he couldn’t help but be” (Levine 775). Abner deliberately steps in horse manure and then proceeds to force his way into the house and traipses his dirty foot all over a rug in the family home. He intentionally smears it around making it a point to ruin the rug just because he feels like it. The owner then brings the rug to Abner and demands he clean

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