Faulkner

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Symbolism in William Faulkner’s “ Barn Burning”

In “ Barn Burning” symbolism is used throughout the story. William Faulkner uses it to describe tones, and themes. His use of symbolism is very helpful to the reader to describe the feelings and moods of characters in the story. Using symbolism describes the place setting of the story and prepares the reader for the upcoming events. “Barn Burning” is a story about blood ties, and how they affect the son, Colonel Sartoris Snopes, better known as Sarty.
The story begins in a store, which is also a courtroom. Sarty is reading the cans with his

stomach, describing his hunger and his lack of education. His father to has taught Sarty

dislike anyone at higher status, but he also wants to grow and be his own man. Abner

Snopes is on trial for the crime of arson. Abner Snopes wants it to be known that nobody will

cross him or his family at anytime. The Snopes have been kicked out of this small town, like

they have been in other towns many times before. This can be known because when they walked

out of the store, their wagons are already packed and ready to go. As they leave the town on

there wagon nobody in the family asks where they are going, they never do, and they know there

father has another house or small farming town to work. The fact that his father had set up

another place to live and show his pattern of crimes. They arrive at the next small house and his

sister says “likely hit ain’t fit for hogs.” (Faulkner, 12) She is describing the small, shabby house

that they must live in again, like all of the others.

Abner and Sarty leave to have “a word with the man that owns to begin tomorrow

owning me body and soul for the next eight months.” (Billiglea,) Faulkner is describing the



outlandish hatred his father has for the upper class. They arrive at the house, which Sarty stat...