A Symbolism Analysis of Barn Burning

A Symbolism Analysis of "Barn Burning"

In William Faulkner's 1939 short story "Barn Burning," a young boy, Colonel Sartoris Snopes (Sarty), is faced with and forced to endure the abusive and destructive tendencies of his father, Abner Snopes. As the story unfolds, several examples can be found to illustrate Faulkner's use of symbolism to allow the reader to sense the disgust for Abner Snopes, the significance in the lack of color usage throughout the story, and finally, Sarty's journey.

In the story, Abner Snopes represents a complete sense of dread, gloom, destruction, and most importantly, evil. It does not take long for the reader to determine that he is not a force to be reckoned with. His complete disregard for the feelings of others, especially his own family, is only the "tip of the iceberg." Even his surname, Snopes, can somehow depict the lackluster of this character. He relishes in the demise of those that he feels is a threat to him or to those that have angered him in some unsuspecting way. Such is the case with the ruination of Major de Spain's rug. In every occasion, Abner comes into contact with someone and a struggle ensues. He has an authority issue and considers everyone a threat to his own existence. This conflict is easily identifiable as the struggle between good and evil, a major theme in this story. The association between Abner and evil can also be demonstrated in the significance of Abner's foot. Many times, a malady or a strange, misshaped foot is often symbolization of the devil. Although Abner acquired this deformity as a result of the war, the correlation between Abner and the devil is quite apparent. Both have no regard for life, human or otherwise. They feel no remorse for their actions and actually justify their doings in their own minds. In addition, Abner's use of and familiarity with fire could be easily associated with that of the devil. Both feel that everyone is potentially a threat to their own existence and will use complete chaos, destruction, and even death to accomplish whatever task they are fixated upon for that given moment.

Color, especially its lack there of, in this story is a crucial and a very important symbol used in this story. It symbolizes the conflict between good and evil, tranquility and madness. For example, Abner's clothing is described as black, worn, and gloomy. You can feel the sense of dread, destruction, and death while in his presence. In Faulkner's description of the campfire, he uses the term "niggard" or black. In addition, Major de Spain's rug was a very "pale" color. This whitish description could be described in contrast. First, that the rug was an example of purity, free from temptation, hatred, or sin, the exact opposite of Abner Snopes. Also, the rug was used to signify the upper class status and high regard that was held for Major de Spain. This was like a slap-in-the-face to Abner Snopes. The rug was something trod on and beaten; possibly the feeling that Abner felt coming from someone considered to be of low-class and of no social standing. He would never be able to come close to measuring up to people, as the Major de Spain's in the world, and in his mind, the easiest way to defeat someone would be to destroy something that they held dear to them, such as the barn and the rug.

Finally, Sarty's journeys throughout the story are an easily recognizable use of symbolism in the story. Sarty is probably of adolescent age because he has developed a sense of conscience with regards to the actions of his father.