ENG 112 -- Section EPH -- Spring, 1998

"Barn Burning"

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Sarty's Hope

Posted by Student A on September 09, 1997 at 22:47:57

Abner had no power over his life or situation as a sharecropper. He evidently thought that the only way he could gain anything over those that he saw as oppressors was to let his livestock ruin their crops or burn their barns. The retaliation for perceived injustice gave him a feeling of control and settling of the score. Even after all that Abner had done, Sarty had high hopes that he would change. On page 424 Starty's thoughts of "Maybe this is the end of it....for him to stop forever and always from being what he used to be." This indicates a hope for the future. Starty's resistance to not continuing the lies and destruction of his father is finally brought forth when he warns Mayor de Spain of his father's intent to burn the barn. This break with his father probably changed his life completely.

imagery of the last paragraph

Posted by Student B on September 04, 1997 at 23:09:57

428 #11 The imagery of the final paragraph of "Barn Burning" shows the hope of the coming day. The "slow constellations" are a reference to the fact that whatever happened to Sarty's father and brother is now history and time is moving on. The discomfort of the cold that the young boy is currently feeling will be resolved by getting up and walking. The author also writes that Sarty's "breating was easier now" indicating a sense of relief. And of course the sun rising and birds singing are the most obvious sign of the dawning of a new era in this character's life.

Re: imagery of the last paragraph

Posted by Student C on September 06, 1997 at 20:00:47

In reply to imagery of the last paragraph posted by Student B on September 04, 1997 at 23:09:57

If Sarty's father and brother WERE killed, then he was FORCED to run away. But what if they would have escaped with him into the night?? I'm not so sure that he would have tried to leave again. I think that Sarty never completely wanted to run away but when the opportunity came along, he felt somewhat relieved. I think that maybe he was forced to leave due to the extreme circumstances.

Re: imagery of the last paragraph

Posted by Student D on September 09, 1997 at 16:38:59

In reply to imagery of the last paragraph posted by Student B on September 04, 1997 at 23:09:57

At first glance it seemed to me also that the birds and rising sun do symbolize a new beginning. However if you keep reading he's going towards the dark woods. So really doesn't that seem like maybe the new beginning won't be so great?

Re: Re: imagery of the last paragraph

Posted by Student E on September 10, 1997 at 22:44:44

In reply to Re: imagery of the last paragraph posted by Student D on September 09, 1997 at 16:38:59

I agree with B and D. Sarty probably didn't want to leave but when he had the chance to he did. I think that he was also trying to help his father by turning him in. His future did seem bleak because of the "dark woods" line, but there was also hope in his future. The new day and the sun rising seemed to prove this.

Last Paragraph

Posted by Student A on September 03, 1997 at 23:22:13

My impression of what happened to Sarty's father and brother at the end of the story is that they continued the same "paranoid" (as described by G.E. Wilson) behavior until they came to "appolonian" justice at some later date. They show no signs of the breakthrough in conscience that Starty exhibits. The father and brother exhist for their own clan and have no kindly feelings. They have contempt and possibly envy tinged by matice for those who have more material advantage than they. Possibly at some deep down consciousness they realize that they are excluded by lack of literacy and other factors. In this light, I view the last paragraph as a hope for Starty to walk away from and "not look back" (428) on the narrow, visicious and unloving life he has had and grow into an adult able to function in a better society. This includes letting his good instincts for truth and justice guide him instead of his father's opinion of clan against the world at any cost.

Last Paragraph

Posted by Student C on September 03, 1997 at 22:51:37

"Barn Burning" Pages 416-428 Question #11 Throughout the story, Sarty seemed to have an internal conflict with his father. He wanted to obey him, but he also knew that his father’s demands were irrational. After the last incident with Major de Spain, I believe that Sarty either ran away from everything or that he was forced to leave because his father and brother were killed by Major de Spain. In either case, I think that the descriptions of the night and the cold symbolized the remaining pain he had left to endure. The act of walking and the coming dawn were the processes that were necessary to begin a life without conflict. The last line, "He did not look back", shows how determined he was to leave and start anew.

Sarty's Dilemma

Posted by Student E on September 03, 1997 at 19:37:43

Barn Burning Pages: 416-428 Question: 8 The description of Major de Spain's house helps to frame the main conflict that Sarty experiences in his efforts to remain loyal to his father. While driving to the house Sarty became amazed of all the wonderful trees, shrubs and overall upscale beauty. This house and property are like nothing he had ever seen before. The ones before were puny and plain compared to this grand house. Sarty believes that the people, who dwell in the "courthouse", and the house itself, couldn't possibly be at risk to his father's wrath. No fire would be able to destroy it. Sarty observes how his father behaves inside the house and, realizes that no house is safe. His lack of courtesy and overall roodness towards the help is a prime example that no one could stop him from striking again. Sarty would like to remain loyal to his father but, in the end, his conscience proves him to do the right thing.

Re: Sarty's Dilemma

Posted by Student E on September 09, 1997 at 11:32:27

In reply to Sarty's Dilemma posted by  Student E, himself, on September 03, 1997 at 19:37:43

Sarty is an overall good person and he want's to do the right thing. His mother knows of her husbands habits and still she does nothing to stop him. Sarty does not want to imitate his mother's behavior and decides to put a stop to his father's bad habits.

Sarty's dilemma

Posted by Eric P. Hibbison on August 24, 1997 at 21:42:00

Meyer's #4: How does Sarty's reaction to the de Spain mansion reveal his moral dilemma? (Advanced: Contrast Sarty's reaction to Abner's spoken reaction to the de Spain house after he slimed the rug and left.)

Re: Sarty's dilemma

Posted by Student D on September 04, 1997 at 14:55:52

In reply to Sarty's dilemma posted by Eric P. Hibbison on August 24, 1997 at 21:42:00

The house compared to being a courthouse gives Sarty a sense of "peace and joy." I believe he feels this peace because, in a way, the courthouse to Sarty is normal and safe. In the courthouse there are rules that every man must follow or there are consequences. In there even Abner must follow rules and be like other men. All this gives Sarty his sense of peace; if his family is normal then everything would be okay. His family wouldn't have to keep moving, his father would stop burning authority figures possessions. Sarty thinks that the de Spain's are "beyond his touch...capable of stinging for a little moment but that's all." These people don't have to deal with his father's arson all of their lives. They have "normal" lives, they can for get about his father and go on with their lives. This house represents what real life is and should be for people. Walking with his father, Sarty notices the "absolutely undeviating course which his father held." This symbolizes the fact that Abner is not going to be the one who changes the course their lives are running. If Sarty wants his life to be different he will have to veer from the strong path that his father is taking his family down.

Adapted from a Web Course in a Box (2.01) archive page on Dec. 27, 1998.   Students' names were changed from names hotlinked to email addresses to letters because the document (and the entire WCB web of the college) had changed from an open page to a closed page.

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