Jane Hiles 'Barn Burning'

Barn Burning "You're getting to be a man. You got to learn. You got to learn to stick to your own blood or you ain't going to have any blood to stick to you." This quote from William Faulkner's "Barn Burning" does reveal a central issue in the story, as Jane Hiles suggests in her interpretation. The story is about blood ties, but more specifically, how these ties affect Sarty (the central character of the story). The story examines the internal conflict and dilemma that Sarty faces. When the story begins, Sarty and his family are in a courtroom. Sarty, known in a proper setting as Colonel Sartoris, which in itself gives an insight into the families mentality. Sarty's father, Abner Snopes is being accused of a barn burning. Right
It is later decided in court, by the Justice of the Peace that he will only be required to pay ten bushels of corn. Of course, Abner, being the way he is, will still not stand for it. Inevitably, one night Abner decides he will make his signature statement, the barn burning. Of course, the story doesn't come right out and say this, there is an ambiguous quality to this work by Faulkner. We are clued into Abner's plans for the burning when Sarty is sent to get the oil. Then, when Sarty, says "Ain't you going to even send a nigger?" we can confirm what is planned. It is at this point that the conflict within Sarty arises once more. Sarty had hoped that his father would stop this evil pattern of destruction and disregard for the law and the property of others. However, Sarty at this point is beginning to realize that his father will probably never change. He contemplates running away, something he will soon do. After being detained by his mother for a short time, at his fathers request, Sarty breaks free and heads directly for the land owners