“Barn Burning” conforms precisely to most of the necessary elements present in a tragedy but it also tends to scorch through other aspects. By including and excluding certain characteristics of a tragedy, William Faulkner has succeeded in composing an original, incredibly human story that integrates a wide range of contrasting and overlapping themes that arouse from highly complex and realistic characters.
The most obvious similarities to tragedy that appear in “Barn Burning” are the constant disclosure of negative emotions. Fear, anxiety, bitterness, uncertainty, revulsion, pity, despair, and submission are all strongly revealed through the characters thoughts, actions, and dialogue; particularly by Sarty, Abner, and Lennie. This emphasis on catharsis binds the story together in a writhing torment of tension between the interrelationships of the characters as well as the overarching ethics addressed and questioned. Hamartia is also present as Faulkner chose to allow Sarty moments in which his state of youthful, blind innocence and obedience causes him to falter in the choices he makes. Faulkner exposes these episodes by magnifying the viewpoint to include Sarty’s direct thoughts; “He aims for me to lie, he thought, again with that frantic grief and despair. And I will have to do hit.”
The few streaks of irony that do exist in the story are hard to differentiate from the mysterious and interpretive symbolism that is woven into the plot. This lack of direct, apparent, and informative irony is perhaps the greatest missing element essential for “Barn Burning” to be considered strictly a tragedy.
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