Burn Barning

Burn Barning

  • Submitted By: smithjoenw
  • Date Submitted: 09/17/2008 7:50 PM
  • Category: English
  • Words: 280
  • Page: 2
  • Views: 853

“Barn Burning” is about a father and son’s constant struggle between one another. The first occurrence that showed Sarty’s and his fathers battle was when Abner struck him in the face. Abner struck his son because he knew Sarty was not going to lie for him. His father said, “ You were fixing to tell them. You would of told him” and then Sarty finally answers quietly, “Yes.” (213) Sarty did not agree with his fathers unjust ways. Sarty felt his was wrong for what he did and did not want to be like his father. A second instance Sarty and his father clash is when the boy realized his father was going to burn Mayor de Spain’s barn. Sarty objected to this when Abner asked him “ Go to the barn and get that can of oil we were oiling the wagon with” . (220) Sarty did not want to be a part of his father‘s destructiveness. For the first time Sarty felt like he had to stand up for himself and try and stop him. Abner’s father sensed his son’s disobedience and made sure Lenny(Sarty’s mother) would take control of Sarty while he was gone. Abner even warned her of the repercussions if their son did not obey. Sarty was to strong for his mother and she had to let him go. Sarty ran to Mayor de Spain’s house to try and warn him of his father’s doings. Sarty was brave to take this risk and disobey his father. Sarty had to show he was an individual and unlike his father. Sarty’s decision ultimately severed ties with his father in the end.

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