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What Does Abner Snopes Represent In Barn Burning

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In William Faulkner's short story "Barn Burning," the character Abner Snopes is driven to repeatedly set fires, which goes far beyond the realm of arson. Abner’s actions reflect a deep pattern of defiance, anger, and revenge and shows a persistent disregard for the law, and the property of others. Abner's relentless pyromania is driven by a deep-seated resentment that permeates his being. Exploration of Abner's resentful motives uncovers the complex dynamics of power and the consequences of unchecked anger. Abner Snopes’s fiery acts are intertwined with his overwhelming sense of resentment towards the social and economic system that he believes favors the wealthy landowners, and his actions serve as an expression of his frustration, a manifestation …show more content…

Rather, it is what landowners represent, which is the upper class and those with authority and power. This is where Abner’s resentment stems from, the perception that those with authority and wealth have more power and privilege. A perfect display of this is when Mr. Harris, the landowner who keeps Abner’s hog after it ran free and damages his crops, uses the hog in an attempt to exert control over Abner and ensure compliance; “The next time I put the hog up and kept it. I told him he could have the hog when he paid me a dollar pound fee” (Faulkner 1). Abner is triggered by this display of power as it symbolizes an act of dominance and control over …show more content…

Harris and Major de Spain. Setting fire is Abner’s frustrated response to the imbalance of power and rebellion against societal norms that he faces. Fire is a physical representation of the frustration that manifests inside Abner. Throughout the story, he faces accusations and judgments, contributing to the growing frustration. Mr. Harris accuses Abner of burning his barn after keeping his hog, and although Abner was found not guilty due to a lack of evidence, he remains frustrated as his family is forced to move and work on another farm (Faulkner 2). The uprooting and displacement of Abner’s family as a result of the accusation amplifies Abner’s sense of powerlessness and frustration and serves as a reminder of his financial

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