Karl Zender clarifies that Faulkner’s story shows realism. But, the modernist twist to the story is the symbolism in the irony. This allows the reader to move beyond realism towards a deeper meaning. The reader is left to determine what deeper meaning the characters and plot have. It is true. I believe this is true. Zender believes literature should be understood as a social function. William Faulkner’s Barn Burning, by Zender, is an example of Zender doing this. Sarty is a character that shows loyalty and maturation.
Zender presents Faulkner’s final scene, in which Sarty is essentially killed by his father, as a sign of Sarty’s maturation and the realization that he needs to move on. Zender focuses on the three-way engagement that propels Sarty forward throughout the story. First, Ab takes Sarty first to the de Spain House. Second, he takes Sarty second. Third, he refuses Sarty’s request to be tied to the bed by his other son before leaving to burn Spain’s barn. Zender explains that Sarty is free to see the large De Spain home. Sarty’s father teaches him that blood ties are more important and create conflict. Zender explained that the story’s significance was reduced by simply viewing these conflicts and questions as developmental. We see the character often, but we don’t always see beyond his predicability. As readers, we are not supposed to focus on the predictiment of the character’s development, nor the meanings and values that the story has for our world today.
Zender explained that Zender took his boy to the large De Spain House to demonstrate that even the purest things can get contaminated. Ab is a fast-footed man who tracks feces onto the rug. This symbolizes the point. It is crucial to understand the relationship between Ab and Sarty. This is a loving relationship that has reacted to Sarty’s mistake in the beginning of the story. Ab manages the relationship, as Sarty’s misstep in the beginning of the story with the Justice of the Court. Ab struck his son, and instructed him to be loyal as he had taught his son.
Zender points that Faulkner’s stories often feature a parental-child relationship. These relationships can often be intimate and complex. Zender clarifies that Ab’s actions were infused with symbolism. Zender advised that we look at this story in terms of Sarty’s maturation and our understanding of the theme and message being presented by Faulkner. However, Zender suggested that we examine the meaning and symbolism more closely. Zender shows that instruction is psychologically based on a teacher/student approach, which is amplified by Faulkner with Ab.
While I agree with the statement that the relationship played a major role in his life, it is not true that Zender’s father considered him a mentor or student. Zender does an excellent job of explaining the larger picture. He often uses examples from other texts to support his points of emphasis. Zender’s analysis was not the only source of textual evidence.
