Barn Burning

Throughout the story Abner's negative influences adversely affect the development of Sarty's character. Sarty is very observant of his father and is highly inclined to defending, helping and obeying Abner. However, as Abner continuously compromises the wellbeing of the family, and as Sarty begins to compare him to his father, he begins to see the faults in Abner's rational and finally decides that he must take action and stop his father's train of destruction, and as a result betraying his father.

At the beginning of "Barn Burning" it is already clear that Sarty gives complete support and allegiance to his family, especially his father. Sarty's loyalty is so strong that he feels that any man who is an enemy of his father is an enemy of his, too. "Ð'...his father and his father's enemy (our enemy he thought in that despair; ourn! Mine and hisn both! He's my father!)Ð'..."(Faulkner pg.159).

His dedication to his family is evident, and the extent to which that dedication goes is tested in the court of law. "He aims for me to lie, he thought, against with that frantic grief and despair. And I will have to do hit."(Faulkner pg.159). Though it is clearly against Sarty's morals, he is willing to omit that portion of his conscience to help his father however he can. Outside of Sarty's heart and the courthouse, Sarty's must also defend his family in society.

In an instant, Sarty is prepared to drop gauntlets and physically fight to defend his family's honor. "Barn burner! Ð'... Again he could not see, whirling; there was a face in a red hazeÐ'... the other boy in full flight and himself already leaping into pursuitÐ'..." (Faulkner pg.160). However, due to Sarty's youthful physique, he is not able to contend well against the boy hazing his family. But regardless, his pride in his family is so fierce that Sarty is ready to face any foe despite his build and any potential physical repercussions.

Sarty's strong will and dedication to his family is derived from his father. After supper, and striking Sarty on the side of the head, Abner discusses with Sarty the reason why he must stick closely to his family. "You're getting to be a man. You got to learn. You got to learn to stick to your own blood or you ain't going to have any blood to stick to you."(Faulkner pg.161). From this moment, Sarty begins to pay close attention to his father's actions and compares himself to Abner.

The next morning, Sarty begins to wonder about the explanation that Abner gave when he struck Sarty. Instead of a stronger sense of pride in the family, Sarty begins to realize that the course of his life is pretty much set, and he has almost no say in what direction it goes as long as he follows his father. "His father had struck him before last night but never before had he paused afterward to explain whyÐ'...but not heavy enough to keep him footed solid in it, to resist it and try to change the course of its events."(Faulkner pg.162).

Once arriving at their temporary new home, Sarty continues his comparison to his father. As Sarty is very amazed and intrigued by the mansion, he sees that unlike himself, is more envious of the home than impressed. ""Watching him, the boy remarked the absolutely undeviating course which his father help and saw the stiff footÐ'... maybe he will feel it too. Maybe it will even change him now from what maybe he couldn't help but be."(Faulkner pg.163). Nonetheless, even though Sarty believes that he is different from his father, he still fears that with only time he will feel the same way as Abner.

Furthermore, due to Abner's irrational feelings and logic, the entire family must work to pay off a debt to Major de Spain. After countless days of backbreaking labor Sarty begins to anticipate the end of the debt prematurely. Sarty also becomes very hopeful that after the debt is paid off, he will no longer have to choose between family or justice. "Ð'...Maybe this is the end of it. Maybe that twenty bushels that seems hardÐ'...gone, done with for ever and ever."(Faulkner pg.166). Sarty is clearly fed up with his father's decisions and finally begins to take a stand and help his father pave a better path of life for the family.

When Sarty and his brother and father return to the courthouse to sue Major de Spain, Sarty attempts to give an explanation to the judge for his father, but is only dismissed by Abner. However, Sarty refused to leave and remained in the courthouse to monitor the case. "'Go back to the wagon.' But he did not, he merely retreated to the rear of the roomÐ'..."(Faulkner pg.167). Beyond the reader's, and Abner's, knowledge this is the first instance of Sarty disobeying his father, although it is minute. Sarty tries again later that