A Visual Literary Analysis of Faulkner’s “Barn Burning”

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Power, Liberation, and Identity
Conclusion
Works Cited

Introduction

The symbolism of William Faulkner’s “Barn Burning” is heavily reliant on the repeating image of fire. By dissecting the text’s symbolic patterns, this article seeks to examine the visual imagery around the image of the fire. This article will look at the representations of power, emancipation, and identity in relation to the fire image by comparing and contrasting Sarty’s and Abner’s motivations. These topics will be covered in the three body paragraphs in chronological order of priority.

Power, Liberation, and Identity

First of all, attention should be paid to the theme of power in the story. As Abner utilizes the fire to demonstrate his authority over his family and those he considers to be his foes, the image of the fire is one of power throughout the narrative. Faulkner writes, “He could feel the heat of it against his face, and his father’s back loomed up in front of him, fierce and solid, the nape of it half again as long as his father’s face” (Faulkner 5). This passage illustrates the connection between Abner’s physical presence and the authority he has over his kid. The burning barn also symbolizes Abner’s determination to retaliate against those he views as his oppressors (Yunis 25). Through the fire’s image, Faulkner highlights how power can be used to control others and maintain social hierarchies.

Liberation will be covered in more detail in the second body paragraph. The image of fire can also represent the potential for freedom from repressive social institutions. This is especially clear in Sarty’s quest for personal freedom. He is immediately lured to the fire when he sees the first barn burning because he feels liberated and released. With the first puffs of smoke rising from the roof, according to Faulkner, “the dread and the fear and the misery of not knowing where they were going or what would happen next seemed to lift from him” (Faulkner 4). Sarty is seen as able to escape the anxiety and terror of his current circumstance through the image of the fire, which is a potential source of release for him.

Identity will be the main topic of the third body sentence. The text’s identity troubles can be related to the fire image. Specifically, how Abner’s identity is tied to the burning of barns reveals a connection between his actions and his sense of self. This is especially clear in his encounters with Mr. Harris, the landlord, whom he views as his enemy. Faulkner asserts: “You’d have told him. You will. You must” (Faulkner 3). This comment highlights the importance of Abner’s identity as someone who is not scared to take retribution against people he regards as his adversaries. Faulkner illustrates how acts of anger and violence may be used to create an identity through the picture of the fire.

Conclusion

In conclusion, “Barn Burning’s” depiction of fire is a potent and significant metaphor that highlights key thematic motifs. Faulkner offers a multifaceted vision of the ways in which people are influenced by and reject social and political structures via the examination of power, liberation, and identity. This essay has looked at the fire image’s visual rhetoric and symbolism, showing how it enriches Faulkner’s already complex story with richness and depth. This article gives a fresh perspective on the book and the manner in which it speaks to contemporary challenges by examining these themes.

Works Cited

Faulkner, William. Barn Burning. Perfection Learning, 2007.

Yunis, Susan. “The narrator of Faulkner’s ‘Barn Burning.’” The Faulkner Journal, vol. 6, no. 2, 2018, pp. 23–31, Web.

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A Visual Literary Analysis of Faulkner’s “Barn Burning”

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