Abner's Fiery Desire for Power

Abner Snopes is a pivotal and dynamic character to the story “Barn Burning.” He is a poor sharecropper, unable to care for his family. He has no power in society and cannot even provide adequate meals for his family. Faulkner uses fire to not only represent Abner's lack of power, but also his inadequacy and his inability to care for his family. The Snopes family often goes hungry because Abner is unable to provide for them. While heading to the de Spain's residence, the family stops in the woods. Abner attempts to construct a fire. However, it is a small fire, unable to provide warmth for the family. This represents Abner's inability to help his family. He is unable to create a basic fire for warmth during the night, a symbol of his lacking personality and inability to provide for his loved ones.

Abner's poverty and status of servitude instills a deep feeling of inadequacy and a sense of being powerless. Abner must attempt to satiate this lack of power with destructive acts that put him into control. These acts are heartless acts of arson, meant to be a type of rebellion against those who are above Abner in society. Abner, throughout the course of the story, burns two barns. This is his way of trying to obtain power. No one is able to prevent him from committing arson and large chases are brought against him to capture Abner after the deed. When he successfully escapes, Abner develops a sense of control and power because the wealthy landowners are unable to stop his destruction. This satisfies Abner's feelings of inadequacy while also granting him a sense of control over his life and those around him.