Barn Burning: Sarty

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Although Sarty was initially optimistic that Abner will change, he ultimately realizes that his father is incapable of changing after witnessing his aggressive behavior continue. Angry for being charged 20 bushels, Abner is determined to commit yet another crime of arson. Sarty is left in disbelief as he watches his father prepare to burn de Spain’s barn. Sarty finally comes to the realization that Abner will never change his ways from the past, perceiving that “this the old habit, the old blood which he had not been permitted to choose for himself, which had been bequeathed him willy nilly and which had run for so long before it came to him” (489). Up until this point, Sarty has been defending Abner simply due to blood ties-- a connection that Sarty had no control over. Growing tired of Abner’s rebellious behavior, Sarty is determined to stop Abner from burning the barn. Sarty speaks out against Abner, and is viciously attacked by Abner and held down to a chair. Sarty jerks away from his mother’s grasp, and runs “out of the room, out of the house, in the mild dust of the starlit road and the heavy rifeness of honeysuckle” (490). Deciding to follow the moral conscience which he had neglected for so long, Sarty escapes from his family-- breaking from the blood ties that he had mercilessly defended for so long; by running away from his family, he is able to gain his freedom. Sarty runs toward Major de Spain to warn him of Abner’s plan, and shortly afterward he hears a gunshot: “an instant later, two shots, pausing now without knowing he had ceased to run, crying ‘Pap! Pap!’” (491). Although Sarty follows his judgement by doing what he believes is right, he faces the consequence of Abner’s death as a result. Despite his father’s violent behavior and harsh treatment towards Sarty, he cries of despair over Abner’s death because he still has a sense of connection to his father. Sarty did not intend for Abner to be killed, and he must live with the outcome of his action for the rest of his life. After Sarty has calmed down from grief and despair, he gets up on his feet and begins walking down the path. With no hesitation or regret, Sarty “did not look back” (491). Although Sarty gains a sense of justice and morality, he loses his entire family in the process. Without looking back, he turns away from his family both literally and figuratively. While Sarty is saddened by his father’s death, he moves forward in life knowing that everybody is now safe from his violent father. His decision in following his moral conscience over remaining loyal to blood ties results in him being alone and having no one to rely on.

In the short story, Sarty changes from from a young naive boy who blindlessly followed his father, to a bold hero who stands by his own morals. At the start, Sarty continuously defends Abner despite knowing that what Abner has done is wrong. Moving to the de Spain’s property, Sarty initially believes that his father can finally change. However, witnessing the events of his father ruining the rug and ultimately preparing for arson causes Sarty to realize that his father can not continue on with this behavior. Sarty is ultimately left to make the difficult decision of following his moral conscience, even if that means going against his father.