...ENG111 Online June 13, 2011 Commitment to Family or Freedom to Self The three literary pieces The Glass Menagerie, Barn Burning, and Ulysses all have something in common. A significant character from each work abandoned his family to seek out his own needs. As I read the three different literary works recently I reflected on what a one-of-a-kind thing a family is to each of us. Is it wrong to put our own needs above that of our parents, our brothers and sisters, or even our spouses or children? Even when raised by the by the same parents, in the same community we all grow into unique individuals with directions of our own, independent from the aspirations of our parents and siblings. As I read the three pieces of literature The Glass Menagerie, Barn Burning, and Ulysses it got me thinking about some of the ways in which I feel about my own family situation. I know I could never leave them, but I do know so many people who have set off away from their families. I sometimes desperately envy those with that freedom. In all three works, there is a balance to be found towards responsibility and commitment to family, and freedom and choice to self. For the purpose of this essay I will compare the roles of Tom from The Glass Menagerie, Sarty in Barn Burning, and Ulysses in the poem Ulysses. Although they each served a different role in the family as a brother, father, and a son, they in the end all made a decision to leave their families in each literary piece. ...
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...Barn Burning William Faulkner is concerned with the south and its problems with black slavery. The issues in Barn Burning deal with the conflict between father and son. The theme of this story focuses on justice. The boy, Sarty, objects to his father burning barns and wants people to be treated fairly. His father, Abner, believes his son should respect and support kin. Abner thinks family is right no matter what. Faulkner's intent is to show that choosing between one's own family and justice is very difficult to do, and in the end justice must prevail. The theme is best illustrated by its point of view, its characterization, and setting. Faulkner represents his point of view using both first and third person to translate his theme. The story is being told by Sartoris Snopes who is a boy at the time the story takes place. Throughout the story he shifts from first to third person narrative voices. At times in the story he would speak as only a child would, then something would be said by him which was too knowledgeable for a boy his age to know. This gives an impression that he is older and is remembering things of his past. Switching between first and third person shows that the choice he made greatly affected him. The way the characters are portrayed remarkably depicts Faulkner's theme. The two conflicting characters are described in similar ways to show their differences. Abner is described by how people see and think about him. From...
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...Barn Burning Although many political and economic changes took place following the civil war, it was very evident in William Faulkner’s Barn Burning that the impact on the social lives of the people living in the south were the most difficult to overcome. He utilizes the new tension between the social classes to create a compelling short story of a boy and his father, but more important, using the family to represent the change in society, the change between good and evil. The new social order after the civil war was a cause of tension between Abner Snopes and his surrounding communities. In William Faulkner’s Barn Burning Abner is portrayed as a man with much insecurity, which causes him to lash out at the people that were better off than him “‘I aim to. I don’t figure to stay in a country among people who…’ He said something unprintable and vile.” While Abner was not found guilty of arson the family is forced to leave on account of their own safety “’Barn burner!’” shouts one of the other citizens, showing the reader how much Abner and his family are un-liked. However, his choices do not change how his son sees him, yet. Abner and his way of dealing with issues begin to take a toll on the family, and most of all his son Sardy. His excessive anger and violence begin to change how Sardy feels about him, and he starts to question if his father is a good role model. Sensing this, Abner decides to intervene before Sardy sees what kind of a man he really is “’You’re going to...
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...Analysis of “Barn Burning” The main issue that arises in this short story is right versus wrong. Colonel Sartoris “Sarty” Snopes is a young man who feels the building pressure of his conscience, but extreme loyalty to his father. Sarty possesses a keen sense of right and wrong. The opening seen begins with his father, Abner Snopes, expecting his son to perjure himself. This would allow Abner to not be prosecuted for barn burning. He strongly believes in the kinship bond the “old fierce pull of blood.” He doesn’t focus on the consequences of his actions…nor does he care. Abner Snopes is very poor, paranoid, vengeful and full of rage. He despises those who are more financially stable. Unlike his bitter father, Sarty subconsciously questions his father’s devilish actions. He is unable to fathom the reasoning why his father feels justified to ruin these wealthy properties. His loyalty is demonstrated in the scene which the young boys call out, “Barn burner!” Sarty immediately strikes out and punches the boys. This shows the reader that he does feel personally threatened. It is apparent that he yearns for a normal father…One that he could idolize and learn positive attributes. Abner feels that by burning down these properties it is doing justice. He is exhausted from working as a farm hand, so he preys on those who he feels threatened by. Sarty hopes that his father will stop eventually as he states, “Maybe he’s done satisfied now, now that he has”…then he stopped himself. The...
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...In William Faulkner’s story “Barn Burning,” Sarty, a ten year old boy, struggles to find his own identity due to choosing between his father’s ideals of loyalty to family and justice. Sarty lives and travels with a very poor white family, and they work on farms of rich landowners, but they get paid very little. As the beginning of the story begins, Sarty and his family are in court for Abner’s decisions of burning landowners’ barns. In the process, Sarty is pressured to choose between two paths, in which Faulkner shows “the classic conflicts of good versus evil, son versus father, and individual versus familial identity” (Ford). At the end Sarty’s final resolution develops his identity. Sarty’s conflict with his father is very strong, because Abner Snopes believes family loyalty is everything. Sarty is unable to make his own choices due to Abner’s ideals, because from the beginning Abner enforces Sarty to “stick to your own blood”(Faulkner 175). In the opening scenes, Sarty’s conflict is unveiled. Sarty loves and respects his father, but in court he does not want to lie. This causes Sarty to recognize his father’s enemies as his own enemies, and this puts Sarty in a very uncomfortable position. As Ford states, during the first trial with Mr. Harris’ Barn, the Justice of the peace banishes Abner from town instead of testifying...
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...In William Faulkner’s book, Barn Burning, Abner Snopes is a cold and violent Civil War veteran. Faulkner writes him to be harsh and emotionless. Abner is also describes as a man with shaggy gray eyebrows, and pebble-colored hair; furthermore, he walks with a limp that he obtains while stealing a horse during the war. Abner Snopes would not be considered a family man, because he is stiff and emotionless when it comes to his family. His family often receives the blunt force of his anger and frustration, especially Sarty. There are many explanations that could be used to explain Abner’s cruel behavior such as; Post-traumatic stress from the war that he served in, jealousy of those who has more than him, and his attitude towards others could be a reflection...
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...A Literary Analysis of “Barn Burning” In the beginning, “Barn Burning” appears to be a story about an oppressive father and his family, who seems to be caught up in his oppression. As you read further in to the story you find that the story is focused on a young son of a poor sharecropper, who has to struggle with his father’s arsonist tendencies which are destroying his families’ reputation and life style, while coming to terms with his own morality. The young son, whose name is Colonel Sartoris Snopes, is the protagonist in this story. Sarty (the boy’s nickname) disapproves of his father’s destructive actions and soon has to decide whether to be loyal to his family or give in to his own values of morality. Abner Snopes, who is the boy’s father, is the antagonist in the story. Abner Snopes is a very angry man, who despises the aristocracy class of people whom he has to work for and throughout the story constantly displays this hatred. The story is narrated in third person and follows a typical format. In Faulkner’s writing style, he uses descriptive dictation to draw the reader’s in to the story. In the first paragraph Faulkner introduces us to the main character in the story, Sarty. Subsequently, throughout the story we are introduced to the other family members. The setting in which Sarty’s conflict is recognized is at a trial, where his father is being accused of setting a barn on fire. This is also where Faulkner allows us a glimpse of Sarty’s internal moral dilemma in regards...
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...“The Palace Thief” develops many central ideas through the encounters between Hundert and the members of the Bell family. The incidents shape the idea that across the novella expectations play an important role to the characters and reinforce the writing to give the reader a better understanding of a central idea. Most of the central idea has developed through the use of conflict and interaction between the sly and cunning Bells and the humble Mr. Hundert.This central idea has spanned from the beginning of the novel from the initial interactions between Hundert and Senator Bell to the second initiation of the “Mr. Julius Caesar” competition. Thus, through the use of interaction and conflict between Mr.Hundert and the Bells a central idea of expectations is developed across the text by Ethan Canin. Initially, Senator Bell’s interactions with Mr.Hundert develop his expectations of following under his wing and the unimportance of Mr. Hundert’s work. When Senator Bell reproaches Hundert for stating that it was his job to mold Sedgwick's character, “...he said slowly, ‘but you will not mold him. I will mold him. You will merely teach him.’” Mr. Bell is setting a stern footing for what he expects out of Hundert and of his family (Canin 164). Based on his brusque attitude towards Hundert, Senator Bell is very serious when he says that it is his job to mold Sedgewick. Senator Bell expects himself to hold true to his words and mold his son into a cold, manipulative, politician like...
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...“Maybe he will feel it too. Maybe it will even change him from what maybe he couldn’t help but be” thinks Sarty (4). Sarty hopes that his father will finally change his ways. Sarty experiences more thoughts like this are William Faulkner’s “Barn Burning” which depicts bildungsroman while deals with his father Abner’s pyromania. Sarty shows submission by complying with his father’s will even though he doesn’t want to. Sarty reveals this by thinking “ He aims for me to lie… And I will have to do hit” (1). This shows that Sarty is afraid of disobeying his father. Sarty also displays his compliance to his father by saying: “He won’t git no ten. He won’t git one.” (9). Sarty is trying to defend his father even though his father messed up the rug on purpose. Finally, Sarty displays compliance by thinking, “our enemy he thought in that despair; ourn! Mine and hisn both! He’s my father!” (1). All of these reveal Sarty’s submission to his father’s will....
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...William Faulkner’s, “Barn Burning,” is a story of a sharecropper, Abner Snopes, and the plight of his family during tense class times in the South. Sharecropping became a way of life in the South after the Civil War and the abolishment of slavery. It was during this post- bellum time that social class tensions were on the rise as sharecropping took advantage of poor white people, while greatly benefiting the wealthy. Faulkner uses Abner Snopes and his family as a portal to the trials and tribulations of a poor white sharecropping family. Faulkner’s, “Barn Burning,” is an excellent portrayal of the extreme disparity and injustice within the social classes in the South. This disparity and injustice is what triggers the leader of the family, Abner Snopes, to let out his aggression by burning barns. The dynamics of class system and hierarchy are well demonstrated throughout the, “Barn Burning.” Not only is it evident in the social and cultural details surrounding the Snope’s lives, but, it is also evident within their immediate family dynamics. Abner Snopes is the authoritative head of the family in, “Barn Burning.” Abner calls the shots in regards to his family, throughout the story. His position amongst society is quite opposite of the role he has within his own family. As a sharecropper and tenant of wealthy plantation owners, Abner was treated much like a slave. At one point in the story, Abner says, “I reckon I’ll have a word with the man that aims to begin to-morrow...
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...Lisette Palafox Dr. Doll Foundations of Story 11 May 2015 Growing into Consciousness Main characters Laura and Sarty have tragic flaws according to their social divisions that emerge as catalysts in their metamorphosis. “Barn Burning” by William Faulkner and “The Garden Party” by Katherine Mansfield challenge social boundaries with the main characters, Laura and Sarty. Laura, unlike the rest of the Sheridans, cares not only for the people in her circle, but for those not fortunate enough to host garden parties. Sarty is a young boy that challenges his loyalty to his family when his voice of reason chimes in. Both undergo a transformation of consciousness. “The Garden Party” begins on a cloudless summer day at the home of the Sheridans who will be soon hosting a garden party equipped with fifteen different types of flags to distinguish the lot. “As for the roses, you could not help feeling they understood that roses are the only flowers that impress people at garden-parties” (Mansfield 565). The Sheridans live on a hill, symbolic of wealth, and live a sheltered lifestyle comparable to the Garden of Eden. Laura, the main character, carries on in her lavish environment. But then, the man from Godber’s, a bakery that delivers pastries to the Sheridan’s home, informs the Sheridans of the death of Mr. Scott, a man from down the road. Laura suggests cancelling the party out of respect for the grieving family, but her mother insists “You’re being very absurd, Laura...
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...Theme, Dominant Element, Character, and Conflict in Barn Burning The story “Barn Burning” immediately begins in a small store in the year 1895. A young boy named Sarty is called to court to testify against his father. Sarty’s father, Abner Snopes has been accused of burning down a man’s barn. Sarty knows for a fact that his father is guilty of this crime. He is also aware that he will have to lie for his father. The judge comes to the conclusion that they are putting the young boy in a bad position and drops the charges but tells Abner to never come back to the county. The next day, Sarty and his family head out to their new home on a farm working as tenant farmers. Abner takes Sarty along to greet and talk to the owner of the farm. Prior to the meeting, Abner tracks horse manure into the owner’s house ruining an expensive rug. The next day the owner tells Abner that he will pay for the rug he ruined by increasing his work quota. In an attempt to reduce this work quota increase, Abner goes to court but is not happy with the verdict. His work quota was reduced, but it was not to his satisfaction. He feels that he has been wronged and decides to set the owner’s barn on fire. Sarty knows this and warns the owner who then rides off towards the barn. Sarty hears three gunshots and concludes that his father is dead. Life gives you many choices both good and bad. They can lead you down the right or wrong path and they can affect more than just you. The dominant element...
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...In the story “Barn Burning”, the characters and their individual personalities are what drives the plot. Some characteristics that Sarty and Abner have are both positive and negative. Abner, who is a static character throughout the story, shows more negative character traits such as criminality and violence towards Sarty and his wife Lennie. Sarty, on the other hand, displays more positive character traits like honesty and having a strong conscious. In the beginning of the story, Sarty feels belittled, powerless, and trapped, however, he learns what his priorities are. Though some decisions are harder to make than others, Sarty overcomes his fear of losing his family’s trust as the story moves on. The development of the characters in “Barn...
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...In the middle of Faulkner’s “Barn Burning”, events occur that not only alter the way Sarty thinks, but also the way he acts. Upon arrival at Major De Spain’s, Sarty takes in the sights of the new place that he hopes they will call home. Sarty is filled with joy and peace when he realizes that the house of De Spain is “big as a courthouse” (151). The wealth and size of De Spain causes Sarty to be fooled by the thought that “they are safe from him” (151) and the dangers his father possesses. No longer does Sarty view his dad as superior to those he works for. In fact, Sarty hopes that “maybe [his dad] will feel it too” (151) and sees that there is potential that the social and economic security De Spain has can scare his father to the point that...
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...First Draft Barn Burning is a short story that was written by an American author- William Faulkner. Faulkner has brought out a mysterious characterization of Snopes. It is a story that has ten year old Sarty Snopes as the main character who is faced by a conflict. Sarty’s father is a barn burner and he is divided as to whether he should let it to the judges that his father faces on two different occasions. In the first case, his father is taken to court and charged with burning Mr. Harry’s barn. Even though he is guilty, he walks away scot free and the bad thing about it is that it is not the first and is not going to be the last barn he burns as we see in the story later. It is an injustice and he wishes that he could stop it, but on the other hand, he should protect the family name. this brings out the basis upon which the story rotates. The stor’s main theme is a conflict in which Sarty has to find which one among his family and his community he should identify with. Abner Snopes, Sarty’s father keeps on reminding him that family relations are very important and that “he was getting to be a man. He got to learn to stick to his own blood or he wont have any blood to sticking to him” (Main story: p 3) the major theme in the book is about finding one’s identity, or choosing what to identify with. There is constant identity crisis. Sarty is caught off guard this time by his father’s intension to burn Mr. de Spain’s barn. He even tries to delay his plan by suggesting the sending...
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