SARTY'S ATTITUDE TOWARD HIS FATHER

In William Faulkner's Barn Burning, the main character of Sarty is faced with an important decision: to do what he knows is right or to follow his father, whom he idolizes. Early on, Sarty follows his father. However, as the story progresses, there is a change in his character. He begins to think for himself, yet at the same time still manages to respect and idolize his father. With the change in his character comes a change in tone to the story.

This story is a perfect historical reflection of what times and beliefs were like during the time period after the Civil War. During Reconstruction, there were many problems including struggles between the classes, racial tensions, and also issues with gender. (William: 1-25) Each of these matters is addressed in Faulkner's Barn Burning. It is the story of Sarty's choice to do what was right instead of what his family wanted him to do. None of the other members of Sarty's family were strong enough to go against their father, and warn De Spain about his barn. Sarty's sisters were no exception. "His two hulking sisters" are useless in the story, and every time they are mentioned, they are just sitting in chairs and usually complaining. For example when they are moving to their new shack one of them says "Likely hit ain't fitten for hawgs". They do not follow Sarty to do what is right because of their apathetic outlook, and they are not strong enough to go against their family.

As a Mississippian and a historian, William Faulkner's writings permeate with his own life experience and knowledge of the times. Faulkner's family lived in much the same time as the characters in Barn Burning and most likely in the same locations. Faulkner was a member of the group of forward thinking and wealthier white southerners. Faulkner's point of view is greatly influenced by his upbringing, which is very similar to some of the characters discussed in his works.

In the South at the time of the story there was a split between the whites into two groups. One group consists of people who wanted the South to be back to the way it was and were not open to change. (William: 1-25)They were the backward thinking group. Another group set out to change the economy and standing of the South and open their mind to new ideas and to the newly freed African-Americans.

Abner Snopes, Sarty's father, is the symbol for this old backward thinking group. He defends his morals at all costs, no matter who is harmed in the process. At first his son Sartoris follows his father blindly, but as he sees the problems with his father's beliefs he begins to individualize himself. He begins to look forward to improve himself and not to follow blindly the lead of his father. Sartoris symbolizes the new group of southern whites that came to be during the late1800s. He is not as harsh to ...