Barn Burning by William Faulkner Brief Summary and Analysis

This was the first time I have read "Barn Burning." I really enjoyed it because it promotes justice and standing up for what's right in life, even though it is sometimes hard. I believe that one of the points of the story is that family, friends, or society can pressure you into the wrong just as Abner Snopes pressures his son Sarty by telling him "You got to learn to stick to your own blood or you ain't going to have any blood to stick to you." I believe that this line, implying loyalty to family and the fact that Sarty grew up facing these awful conditions makes it all the harder to stand up for what he knows to be right. Sarty knows that what his father is doing is wrong, but it is hard for the young boy to go against his father and feels like he will betray him. Stepping away towards the right, no matter how deep and long he's had to face it, makes it ever so rewarding. That's what I believe this story is all about. Deep inside the surface of this story there is a symbolism behind the burning barns. I believe the barns represent the wrong that goes on around us throughout all society, government, and else where. It is easy for us to stand back oft times and ignore what is going on, thinking to ourselves that it is just common place. It has always been like that. In this fast pace world that we live in, we worry about ourselves and set aside the wrong that is going on around us. We may ignore the problems and issues facing our freedom, our city or town, or even our family. It is easy to go about on our own, doing our own thing.