Sartoris Snopes In William Faulkner's Barn Burning

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Limited minds may ask themselves, “How young is too young, or perhaps how old is too old to change the course of my life?” Never coming to a conclusion, the question dies with them. However, some minds believe in no set age, but instead, that what they do with each day determines the rest of their life; therefore, they live each day with purpose and intent, overcoming obstacles within themselves and within their world. William Faulkner’s story, “Barn Burning,” impersonates the mind that lives each day as an opportunity for growth through the character of Sartoris Snopes. Sartoris Snopes, a scrawny boy disguised by his father’s looks, lives in a surrounding influence of corruption (Faulkner, 7). Susceptible to the influence of his father, a …show more content…

His father, on trial for intentionally burning a man’s barn, points him out as a witness in the case. When the Justice asks Sartoris to give his name, he replies in a whisper (Faulkner, 9). As this instance conveys, Sartoris’ character derives, first, out of timidity rather than strength.This trend of timidity continues throughout the development of his character by the way he responds to circumstances and his father. He fears his father’s authority and regards others in a shy manner because he lacks self esteem. After the Justice chastises the father in the court session, Sartoris leaves, following behind two grim-faced men, his father and older brother (Faulkner, 15). The previous example gives insight into how Sartoris might feel and what causes him to feel that way because it places him in a position of a child, where little confidence or significance stands recognized as compared to the more apparent confidence of his father and older brother, who are in more prominent positions. Already lacking physical toughness, his lack of confidence sets him up for even more harm; it presents him as an easy target for bullying. The consequences of his father’s actions cause Sartoris to receive verbal and physical abuse from boys stronger than he, adding to his lack of self esteem (Faulkner,

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