FREE ESSAY ON THE DYNAMICS OF SARTY

THE DYNAMICS OF SARTY

In the story Barn Burning by William Faulkner, the character Colonel Sartoris Snopes,
nicknamed Sarty, displays many different and interesting traits. Most of these
characteristics are seen through his thoughts that the author includes periodically
throughout the story. The thoughts in the reading lead you to the conclusion that Sarty
is definitely a character who is very dynamic and self motivated. In the beginning of the
story in the courtroom scene, the reader is first introduced to the idea that Sarty is
very proud of and in awe of his father. This is shown when Sarty is thinking about his
father's enemy being his as well, "ourn! mine and hisn both! He's my father!"(N590).
These statements are very relative and sharp with the meaning; Sarty respects his father
and is especially proud to be his son, and he will help defend him however necessary.
This includes lying to a judge in a court of law as seen in the next thought of Sarty,
"He aims for me to lie...And I will have to do hit."(N591) Sarty is willing to put his
own honesty on the line to help his father Abner. Although, right after the trial is
over, Sarty begins to question his father and his thoughtless actions. When the family is
on the wagon leaving the town that they had been banished from, Sarty begins to see that
perhaps his father is not so perfect and just. As the family arrives at the doors to
their next home, Sarty admires the owner's impressive living area. Jus the sight of such
a huge and wonderful place makes him think that it is "impervious to the puny flames he
might contrive..."(N594). Sarty is very hopeful about their new situation and hopes his
father is the same way, "Maybe he will feel it too. Maybe it will even change him now
from what maybe he couldn't help but be"(N594). Now, rather than feeling proud of his
father for what he is, Sarty shows that he wants Abner to change; from the wording it can
even be thought that Sarty somewhat feels pity towards his father for not being able to
control himself. Aside from all the feelings Sarty has towards his father and the
wrong-doings, Sarty still follows his orders. This is shown when Sarty is getting the oil
for his father, but Sarty does question what he is doing. He thinks to himself as he is
running to the stable, "I could keep on...I could run on and on and never look back,
never need to 6see his face again. Only I can't. I can't"(N600). That was the turning
point for Sarty, and the final time he shows any respect for his father and his actions.
It was also the first time he considers running from his father. The very last scene of
the story is where it is most obvious that Sarty is a dynamic character. After he gets
away from his mother, he runs to warn the Major de Spain of the disaster which is about
to occur, in doing so, disobeying his father's will, showing no respect, and rejecting
the inexcusable act of torching another barn. This is when he begins to run. Only when
two shots are heard in the distance, Sarty stops to cry for his hopeless father. After
this disaster he begins on his way for a better, new life, without having to fear his
father and his addiction to Barn Burning. All these thoughts suggest a change within
Sarty. They prove that he is a very dynamic character, who at first loved and defended
his father, but later turned against him and his madness.