The Intricacies of Morality and Loyalty in “Barn Burning”

William Faulkner’s “Barn Burning” is more than just a story of a disenfranchised family in the post-Civil War American South. It’s a compelling exploration of morality, loyalty, and the complex relationships between fathers and sons. At its heart, “Barn Burning” delves into the internal conflict faced by Sarty, a young boy torn between his loyalty to his family and his innate sense of right and wrong.

The story commences in a small-town dry goods store, which doubles as a courtroom.

Sarty’s father, Abner Snopes, stands accused of burning a barn. It becomes evident early on that Abner is no stranger to such accusations. He is a man who retaliates against perceived slights with destructive acts, and his chosen method of retribution—fire—gives the story its evocative title. Abner’s defiant demeanor in the face of these accusations establishes him as a man who refuses to bow to societal norms and rules.

But Faulkner’s narrative brilliance truly shines through in his portrayal of Sarty. The young boy is torn; he is aware of the societal norms his father regularly flouts and feels the pull of conforming to these standards. His inner turmoil is the essence of the story. Every act of arson by his father deepens Sarty’s internal conflict, forcing him to grapple with a challenging dilemma: should he remain loyal to his blood ties or to the moral code he innately believes in?

The depth of this dilemma is rooted in the broader socio-economic context of the time. The Snopes family, constantly on the move and always in conflict with landlords or the law, is emblematic of the transient, impoverished class of post-Civil War Southern tenant farmers. Abner’s rebellious acts, however destructive, can be understood as acts of resistance against a system that keeps him and his family in a perpetual state of poverty. From this perspective, the barn burnings are not just mindless acts of violence, but desperate cries against an oppressive societal structure.

Yet, while the socio-economic context provides a backdrop to Abner’s actions, Sarty’s struggle is deeply personal. His father’s expectation of unquestioned loyalty is at odds with Sarty’s growing sense of morality. When Sarty warns the de Spain family about his father’s intention to burn their barn, he isn’t just breaking away from his father; he is choosing to be guided by his own moral compass.

The story’s climax, which sees Abner’s death and Sarty’s ultimate detachment from his family, underscores the inevitability of the young boy’s choice. It’s a poignant moment of liberation, but it’s also profoundly melancholic. Sarty gains his freedom and his moral integrity at the cost of his familial ties. The final image of the story—Sarty alone, looking at the stars, contemplating his uncertain future—perfectly captures the ambiguity of his situation.

In “Barn Burning,” Faulkner masterfully intertwines the personal with the socio-political, crafting a tale that speaks to the universal human experience. It’s a story of a boy coming of age, a family struggling against societal constraints, and the age-old conflict between loyalty and morality. Through the trials and tribulations of the Snopes family, Faulkner invites readers to reflect on their own values and the lengths they would go to defend them. In doing so, he creates a narrative that resonates deeply, transcending its specific historical and regional context.

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