Tuesday, September 8, 2015
Life Is Full of Binaries, Isn't it?
In the short story "Barn Burning" there are a variety of examples that embody the characteristics of the model that Benjamin discusses. For example, the relationship between Mr. Adner Snopes and his wife is completely of the Freudian model as the father is the Subject and the mother is the object. However, the relationship between Young Colonel Sartoris Snopes and his father is the one complicated because in the very beginning Sartoris does as Freud says and agrees to submit to his father but as the story progresses he realizes the difference between right and wrong and changes the dynamic. This story also makes several judgements regarding the relationship between rich people and poor people. It seems as though Adner has become a serial arsonist is due to the inferiority that he feels especially when he is belittled by his "employers". "Barn Burning" makes many statements regarding class and personal relationships that are also directly discussed in Benjamin's article.
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I absolutely agree that Barn Burning really discusses the relationships between many different kinds of characters. Colonel Sartoris begins with respecting his father (more because he has been conditioned to do so) but additionally because the relationship between father and son is that father is greater. However, Sarty later on makes the judgement that his father is doing wrong and he can't accept this any longer. I fully agree that once Sarty realizes the difference between right and wrong he feels that he can't fully defend his father any longer and therefore warns Major de Spain.
ReplyDeleteYou make such an interesting point about the development of the relationship between Colonel Satoris Snopes and his father. As I was reading this story, I was looking for relationships that fit Benjamin's binaries, not relationships that broke, or did not fit the binaries. You've made me look at their relationship in a new, more interesting way.
ReplyDeleteI find your analysis of class relations in Barn Burning very interesting, and I agree that the father is burning barns because of the inferiority he feels to his employers.
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