Literary works are critical in society, seeing that they are used to address societal matters considerably. Authors tackle matters that affect society through the different themes that they embrace in their works. The themes are conveyed through the narratives appropriate character depictions and use of literary devices to enhance effectiveness. The theme of identity is a critical topic that has been handled by writers throughout history. This is because it is at the core of human living and relations. William Faulkner’s work “Barn Burning” is among the works that have critically assessed this topic, mainly through the relations exhibited through characters. Faulkner uses the narrative to tackle the topic, and this paper offers an analysis of how the book presents the matter of identity development in society.

“Barn Burning” is a short story that revolves around the lives of the Snopes family. The narrative highlights the relationship between a young boy and his father, who is depicted aa having a cold-blooded personality. Abner Snopes is controlling and strict to his son, and he teaches them that family is the most important thing and that members ought to be loyal. He continually puts Sarty under pressure to conform to his ideologies and support him even when he does undesirable things. Sarty conforms to his father’s desires, but as he grows up, he develops an intrinsic desire to follow justice instead of loyalty to his family. As the story concludes, Sarty runs away, leaving his family behind after he betrays his father and reports his intent to burn another barn. This depicts a new beginning for his identity.

Faulkner embraces numerous devices and elements to highlight identity within the narrative from the beginning to the climax, where Sarty finally decides to be the master of his own identity and runs away from his family.one of the critical aspects that help in shaping the story is the setting. The story is set a little period after the end of civil war, which Abner Snopes happens to have taken participated in. Abner is a harsh character whose attitudes seem to be profoundly affected by his environment, characterized by sharecropping. Joiner highlights that immense injustices characterized the system of sharecropping, and people were forced to adjust to cope in such environments (32). This aspect is attributed to the development of characters like Abner, who believe that masculinity was critical in defending one’s family. For this reason, Abner always insists on having his sons back him up whenever he commits the evil acts of burning the barns of the people he collides with. This makes even Sarty regard hi father’s enemy as his enemies as exhibited at the beginning, and this includes even the judge who was handling Abner’s case. ” the enemy “our enemy, he thought in despair; mine and his n both! He’s my father!”(Faulkner 217). In this instance, the book demonstrates that Sarty’s identity is much dependent on his father’s attitude. He follows his father’s contentions and ignores his perception of things.

Abner takes advantage of his position as a parent and continually insists on prioritizing family above all things. After the hearing at the court, he tells Sarty that he “got to learn to stick to (his) own blood” (Ford 530) By so doing, Abner shapes his son to believe that family loyalty is more important in the community than even fighting for fairness or honesty. By extension, Faulkner exhibits the idea of masculinity, which was a critical aspect of survival during the antebellum period. The household was not perceived as a form of family structure but instead served as a core means of survival. “each antebellum household served as a physical representation of southern power relations” (Joiner 36 ).

Miles notes that the narrative uses appropriate character depictions to exhibit identity in light of masculinity (157). Sarty’s mother and sisters are rarely engaged in activities that defend their father and family. Abner Snopes engages Sarty and his brother Colonel in advancing his deeds and further defending his family. Sarty is forced to defend his father in the court, where he is charged with the burning of a burn in the name of protecting the family. Again, after the Snopes move to a new home and Abner gets into a conflict with De Spain, and he intends to avenge by burning down his barn as well. Abner takes Colonel with him, and the sisters are left at home. These scenarios highlight men’s place in society, in that they are expected to have masculine identities to defend their families. However, Miles adds that “if boys in Faulkner idealize masculinity, many of them become sadly disappointed by it, resist it, and end up somewhere outside of gender identity” (162).

Sarty, however, seeks to deviate from the social constraints and seeks to create his own identity. He betrays his family by revealing his father’s plan to burn the barn, and he runs away. His running away from the family depicts his desire to live on his terms uncontrolled by others and gives him a chance to recreate a new Identity.

To wrap it up, “Barn Burning” tackles the issue of identity, highlighting the flexibility if its development. Faulkner demonstrates that individuals’ identity is not constant but is instead influenced by ones surrounding substantially. Masculinity is a crucial aspect of identity highlighted in the story, and this is passed on and affirmed by fathers to their sons. However, the fact Sarty is able to take a different course shows that no identity is fixed, but rather identities are subject to change based on the individual as well as societal perceptions on a given matter like gender roles or positions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Works cited

Faulkner, William, et al. Barn burning. Learning in Focus, 1979.

Ford, Marilyn Claire. “Narrative Legerdemain: Evoking Sarty’s Future in” Barn Burning”.” The Mississippi Quarterly 51.3 (1998): 527-540.

Joiner, Jennie J. “Constructing Black Sons.” Flannery O’Connor Review 8 (2010): 31-47.

Miles, Caroline. “Little Men in Faulkner’s” Barn Burning” and” The Reivers”.” The Faulkner Journal (1999): 151-168.