Guided Interpretation or Question Look at the preview slide. Make a prediction about the book based on the title and the images.

Author William Faulkner Born in Mississippi in 1897 Created his own fictional Mississippi county called Yoknapatawpha Presented an insider’s view of the South: it’s unique culture, attitudes, and beliefs His stories specifically centered around the South as it struggled to adjust after the end of the Civil War

Guided Interpretation or Question Think about what you know of the South. What are some themes Faulkner’s works will probably focus on? Use the information from your notes to guide your response.

Brief Glance Overview The Snopes family feels displaced in a new South: they are working class family with little chance to emerge from their social ranking The father of the family, Abner Snopes is not content to accept his fate with a fight: he is accused of being a serial arsonist. His son is put in a truly awkward position: testify against his father or remain loyal to the family

Guided Interpretation or Question Put yourself in the shoes of the son, Sartoris Snopes. What would you do in his position? Testify against your father? Or turn him in?

Characters Sartoris Snopes Abner Snopes A young boy whose looks speaks to his family’s economic struggles A broken man: he has a limp, he has no money, and he has no power. Seeks revenge when wronged.

Literary Focus Protagonist Internal Conflict Setting Sartoris Snopes Must internally battle the choice between family and morality The deep South, plantations, and a general store that acts as a court house

Guided Interpretation or Question The story takes place in the deep South. It relies heavily on dialect: the realistic speech patterns of the people. What added effect will dialect give the story? Do you feel it will add or subtract from its overall impact?

Literary Focus Symbols Abner wipes horse manure on the RUG of the landowner, Major de Spain Abner can barely build a sufficient fire for his family, but is able to set horrible blazes when wronged

Guided Interpretation or Question Based on the information given, interpret the possible symbolism of Abner’s defacing of the rug. Justify your interpretation.

Guided Interpretation or Question Based on the information given, give some possible symbolic values to fire. What does fire symbolize globally? What does it mean to the father in the story? Explain.

Themes Family and Loyalty Old Order vs. The New Class Structures The Emasculated Male The Struggles of Change Freedom and Equality The Invisible Bonds of Servitude

Guided Interpretation or Question Look over the notes we have taken and your own responses. Using themes as a guide, write about the probable purpose of Faulkner’s short story “Barn Burning.” Use specifics within your answers.

My Store