Katie Philpott
Barn Burning
Faulkner’s short story “Barn Burning,” can easily be characterized as a tragedy. The author’ description of poverty and hopelessness can obviously be categorized as “serious subjects,” and the story “involves persons of significance.” Sarty’s journey as the protagonist pulls at the audience’s heartstrings as he endeavors to stay true to both himself and his family. Towards the end he experiences a revelation concerning his duties as a member of the family and this allows his honorable traits to show through. The unfortunate ending and the death of Abner serve to further categorize this work as a tragedy.
While there are certain similarities between famous tragic heroes and Abner, there fails to be enough convincing evidence in order to characterize Abner as a hero. The most compelling likeness between Abner and a hero is the infamous heel shot. The fact that “a musket ball had taken him in the back of the heel,” accounts for his pronounced limp. The famous Greek Achilles is a famous hero whose death was declared after an arrow pierced his heel. Achilles physically died after being shot in the heel, whereas Abner only symbolically died, due to the unfortunate turn his life took after his incident. Other tragic heroes are often oppressed during their lives. Abner’s poverty and status as a sharecropper are obvious forms of oppression. Yet the defining feature between other famous heroes and Abner is that they at least attempt to overcome their difficulties through honorable means. The hero often sacrifices something near and dear to them in order to protect those they love. Abner is the complete opposite. Instead of trying to dutifully provide for his family, he abandons them and seeks personal revenge against his employers. His unkind treatment of his family and the fact that he “strikes him,” (Sarty) serves to characterize him not as a hero, but a villain.
All the elements necessary to categorize “Barn Burning” as a tragedy are present. Even though there are certain aspects of the story which may hint at Abner’s status as a hero, his harsh treatment of his family and the pride he takes with him to his grave serve to categorize him not as a hero, but rather as a villain.
Barn Burning
Faulkner’s short story “Barn Burning,” can easily be characterized as a tragedy. The author’ description of poverty and hopelessness can obviously be categorized as “serious subjects,” and the story “involves persons of significance.” Sarty’s journey as the protagonist pulls at the audience’s heartstrings as he endeavors to stay true to both himself and his family. Towards the end he experiences a revelation concerning his duties as a member of the family and this allows his honorable traits to show through. The unfortunate ending and the death of Abner serve to further categorize this work as a tragedy.
While there are certain similarities between famous tragic heroes and Abner, there fails to be enough convincing evidence in order to characterize Abner as a hero. The most compelling likeness between Abner and a hero is the infamous heel shot. The fact that “a musket ball had taken him in the back of the heel,” accounts for his pronounced limp. The famous Greek Achilles is a famous hero whose death was declared after an arrow pierced his heel. Achilles physically died after being shot in the heel, whereas Abner only symbolically died, due to the unfortunate turn his life took after his incident. Other tragic heroes are often oppressed during their lives. Abner’s poverty and status as a sharecropper are obvious forms of oppression. Yet the defining feature between other famous heroes and Abner is that they at least attempt to overcome their difficulties through honorable means. The hero often sacrifices something near and dear to them in order to protect those they love. Abner is the complete opposite. Instead of trying to dutifully provide for his family, he abandons them and seeks personal revenge against his employers. His unkind treatment of his family and the fact that he “strikes him,” (Sarty) serves to characterize him not as a hero, but a villain.
All the elements necessary to categorize “Barn Burning” as a tragedy are present. Even though there are certain aspects of the story which may hint at Abner’s status as a hero, his harsh treatment of his family and the pride he takes with him to his grave serve to categorize him not as a hero, but rather as a villain.
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