Bye Confusion, Hello Solution!

I would have never believed that Abner Snopes would fit the definition of a hero in any interpretation of the word, but after viewing the story from a different perspective it is certainly clear that Faulkner intended the story to be a tragedy with an unclear meaning, invoking mixed feelings of fear and pity while Abner plays the role of the hero.

Abner burns barns and destroys others' property for the mere satisfaction of ruining those lives that he always desired to live. Faulkner describes Abner as being stiff and without emotions or depth, invoking a sense of fear within the reader. Yet as Abner continues to burn barns and soils others property and goods, the audience may begin to empathize him, understanding that he commits these crimes because he feels powerless to those more powerful and rich (Mr. Harris and Duke de Spain). Faulkner's method of combining fear with pity is a clear exercise of catharsis on the author's part. Catharsis, being a theme most common in Ancient Greek tragedies, is Faulkner's way of utilizing dramatic tragedy in Abner's already insane life. Although I do not believe Abner to be a hero of society, I can view him as a hero of sorts, particularly a hero of the lower class. While everyone experiences feelings of resentment and jealousy, the lower class (Abner being a sharecropper) is more inclined to feel so towards those more powerful, privileged, and inferior to themselves. This feeling of resentment toward the more privileged is the same feeling Abner exerperiences toward Mr. Harris and Duke de Spain. Mind Abner's way of conveying his resentment is a tad extreme, it is the only way he can accurately express himself. By the closing of the story the audience may be confused whether or not to pity Abner, but the audience should be able to relate to Abner on logical sense -- everyone experiences jealousy towards those with more power and privileges.