Barn Burning
William Faulkner’s “Barn Burning” is set at a time that is immediately after the Civil War. Sarty and his father present the various sides of the South, both before and after the Civil War. However, Sarty ironically represents the old South that should be represented by his father Abner, who instead represents the new South. Abner has joined the entire society in adapting to the changes brought about by the Civil War. Abner has decided to become a Sharecropper like most of the people in the South, and life has been made difficult by poverty. Furthermore, Abner decides to burn the barns of the people who appear to be benefitting from the hard experience being led by the people in the society. Abner burns the barns to create a level environment where everyone feels at a similar level. Moreover, Sarty is significantly different from his father, Abner.
The character of Sarty differs significantly from that of Abner, his father. Abner is a cruel man who believes in causing harm to other people in a bid to make the lives of everyone at the society level. Sarty, on the other hand, admires peace and justice and does not justify, by any means, the actions of Abner. Abner attempts to force Sarty into lying on his behalf to hide the evidence on the burnt barns. Also, the character of Sarty appears to differ from his father because he admits on several occasions to wishing that Abner stopped his evil activities. Too, Salty advocates for truth and justice for everyone, unlike his father, who believes that burning the barns punishes the people in power and pulls them back to level terms with the other people in the society.
Reference
Faulkner, W. (1977). Barn Burning. United States Information Agency, Television and Film Service.