Barn Burning Analysis

Cate Cozine

Mr. Coomes

English 1301-43NDC

22 February 2017

Barn Burning Analysis The “Barn Burning” opens in a convenient store in the country, which seems to also be a Justice of Peace Court. The narrator, a hungry boy, named Sarty craves the meat and cheese displayed in the store. While his father, Abner Snopes, is in court, being accused of setting fire and burning down Mr. Harris’ barn. Sarty is being called up to testify against his own father. It soon dawns on him that he will have to testify and tell the judge that his father did not burn down the barn. Mr. Harris and the Justice apprehend that they are putting the hound child in an extremely tough position and they let him off the hook. The Judge tells Mr.Snopes to leave the

The narrator describes the fire Mr. Abner builds that night before their arrival and the fire he builds every night when camping as, “ neat, niggard almost, shrewd.” It is important to know that in this context “niggardly” means stingy. And “shrewd,” in this case, most likely means that the fire was built properly and is expected to burn for very long time on as little wood as possible. This is a very awkward moment because the narrator tells us that if Sarty were older, he might have put more thought into why his father always builds such small camp fires. We then hear about the different scenarios Sarty might have to come to, if only he was a little bit

Spring is also a major part of the deepness presented by Faulkner. Most stories that have a setting in the spring tend to be full of hope and good feelings. Spring is an empowering thing in a story a symbol of renewal, and a fresh start. Looking into the last two paragraphs of a “Barn Burning” we do not even realize that this renewing season is upon us. Everything seems so dark and grim. For Sarty that moment where he is out on the hill is probably the first worry free moment he has experience in what feels like forever. No wonder that refreshing feeling that spring brings is presented to Sarty in this moment, finally. This sudden recognition of the season coincides with the freedom to make his own