The Image of Fire in Faulkner’s Short Stories, Barn Burning and Shingles for the Lord :: Barn Burning Shingles

The Image of stir in Faulkners Short Stories, Barn Burning and zoster for the noblemanThe image of abscond was very prominent in Faulkners of a sudden stories Barn Burning and Shingles for the Lord. Throughout the two stories, fire emerged as a annihilating device. The production of fire directly or indirectly destroy property and the image of the characters, Snopes and Pap. Fire symbolized the characters ineffectual ways and destruction of his identity in society. The fathers present in the two stories possessed worthless natures. In the story Barn Burning, Snopes ill demeanor erupted into arson. He appeared as the defiant worker. After destroying the landowners overpriced rug, he refused to pay the ten bushels of corn and burned the landowners barn (18-21). His resort to fire symbolized his derogatory ways. Fire was his most destructive tool to facilitate his revenge. In comparison, in Shingles for the Lord, Pap indirectly produced fire. In his misleading plot, he tried to outsmart a gallant worker by removing shingles off the church building roof at night. However, the lantern he used for light created a fire in the church (39). His accidental manufacture of fire was a result of his deception toward his swearword worker. Fire was an ultimate consequence of his behavior. Each character used fire as a destructive weapon and ultimately done for(p) himself. In Barn Burning, Snopes use of fire in the beginning of the story presented him as an outcast. At a trial for arson, the judge told Snopes, I cant find against you, Snopes, but I can give you advice. Leave this province and dont come back to it (5). Snopes use of arson destroyed his self-image in front of societal figures. He was banished due to his actions. In Shingles for the Lord, Paps destruction of the church by fire destroyed societys perception of him. The use of fire labeled him as an arsonist, a reduced man, and an untrustworthy individual. The preacher, Whitfield, told Pap, If there is any pursuit in which you can engage without carrying flood and fire and destruction and death derriere you, do it. But not one hand shall you lay to this new(a) house until you have proved to us that you are to be bank again with the powers and capacities of a man (41). Paps arson destroyed societys respect for him and labeled him as an outsider among the people. Faulkners use of fire signified the father figures deceitful ways and the ultimate deconstruction of each fathers nominal head in society.