Casey's Post

Throughout the story, Abner shows great hostility towards both his son and his wife. The reader is never exactly told why Abner burned the barn, but it can be concluded that he did so in an act of aggression, being that he is always used to do doing what his wife requires of him. Throughout the story, Faulkner describes Abner’s characteristics and features by using imagery. He is described to have large claws and aggressive attitudes. Revealed to us is the fact that Abner in fact likes fire and the destruction that it causes, just as other men enjoy steel and the power they can have with the uses of steel. It can be assumed that fire makes Abner feel that he has power and control over others. The diction used in the story helps to better portray Abner and his relations with his large family, particularly his wife and son who is most like him, Sartoris. During the story, Abner’s wife is trying to stop him from doing the wrong things by encouraging him to make better decisions, but Abner always treats her with disrespect and hostility, while he encourages Sartoris to continue to do what his family believes to be best for him.