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Figurative Language In Barn Burning

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“Barn Burning” is a very interesting story about a family and the hardships they face. Though the narrative focuses on Sarty Snopes, his father Abner causes many of the problems they encounter. Abner Snopes is a very cruel and negative father who does not grow throughout the story because of his hate towards others. In this story, Faulkner uses figurative language to characterize Abner. Abner is often described in metallic terms which gives the reader an image of a brutal, cold-hearted, emotionless being. As we proceed through “Barn Burning” we get a better understanding of Abner’s character and intentions. No matter the circumstance, he feels as though life has not been fair to him and that the wealthy have benefited from the hardships of others. Hate, greed, and jealousy motivate and lead him to act as a tyrant over the people he encounters. Hate is defined as a feeling of …show more content…

His inability to accept the fact that he is committing unnecessary acts of violence are proof that Abner views life from a different perspective. As the reader progresses through the story, it’s clear that Abner is carrying out actions only beneficial to himself. He speaks of loyalty numerous times to his son, however Abner only emphasizes this value when he needs Sarty to help him get out of a predicament. “Barn Burning” is a very interesting story containing numerous controversial events. As the story progresses, Abner shows his true colors of deception and violence. In spite of getting away with various destructive acts, justice eventually catches up to him. Through all the mayhem and cruelty, Sarty acts on his instincts to do what is right by halting his father’s actions. The story centers on moral values and the actions a person is willing to take. Regardless of a person’s upbringing, it is up to that individual to do what they think is right and

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Faulkner dives deeper into the pressure that Sartoris faced to remain loyal to his father when the family camped for the final night before they expected to arrive at the new home the father had found for them. After dinner, Sarty is called by his father onto the road where his father proceeds to accuse the boy of planning to tell the Justice of the Peace the truth, that his father was the one who burnt the barn down, even though Sartoris had silently made up his mind and was planning on defending him. His father then struck him in the face and with it came the words, "you got to learn to stick to your own blood or you ain 't going to have any blood to stick to you" (par. 28). This line plays a vital role in the creation of the theme, inner conflict, as it further explains the situation that the young boy was in. The father was telling his young son that he needed to be for the family and protect it by defending the lies his father tells or do what Sarty 's heart was telling him to do and cost himself his family, and the people he loved.

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