PROLETARIAT STRIKESA Marxist Criticism of William Faulkner s Barn Burning
William Faulkner’s “Barn Burning” is a good example of one man’s revolt against a society (Bourgeoisie) that has oppressed and enslaved him and his family (Proletariat). ... Conversely, he resents the Bourgeoisie and suffers from an internal rage that leads him to commit destructive acts of barn burning against his oppressors. ... This story begins with the trial of Abner Snopes who is accused of burning down a neighbor’s barn. ... Snopes’ young, idealistic son is frequently in a state of despair and terror over his father’s actions. ... He is old enough to realize that Snopes always has a job waiting for him in another part of the country after a barn burning episode.