In his story Barn Burning, William Faulkner employs light/dark and white/black imagery to highlight Abner's actions and emotions. Darkness is a symbol of mystery, not knowing what will happen simply because we use our eyes to understand our surroundings. Faulkner uses this darkness and black night to signify the evil, mystery, and crime of Abner constant barn burning. Anytime any abuse or hurt occurs in the story, black and darkness is present. Moving away from the symbolizing the night, the darkness can also be found in Abner's being and soul. This blackness symbolizes Abner's lack of clarity. His constant disgust with the wealthy has made him into someone who does not really care for anything but revenge.
The lightness corresponds with the fire contrasting against the dark night's sky. In this fire carries Abner's burning emotions for revenge. The white heat and lightness carries a significance of being pure and without sin; ironic because the barns were being set on fire through hatred. The revelation and purity that Faulkner disguises into the burning of barns also signifies Abner trying to start a new being although, in many cases, it is not to his families advantage.
On the spectrum of color, black and white are polar opposites. Abner finds himself in the middle between the two shades, neither completely good or evil. Faulkner even refers to Abner as being “gray” and metaphorically dead, highlighting Mr. Snopes' lack of clarity and obsession with revenge. At the end of the story, Faulkner contrasts black and white. After Abner is shot during the night, his son Sarty exits during the dawn. This transition connotes Sarty's new life (ironically resulting from death) away from barn burning and away from the constant tyranny of his father.
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