Some guiding questions for “Barn Burning” by William Faulkner

1) What is judgment? We are told on one hand “don’t judge others” and on the other to “use good judgment”. What does it mean to judge other? Who has the right to do this? When are we morally obligated to make a judgment about the actions of others? Connect the themes of this story to the treatment of judgment in Scarlet Letter.

2) Notice the narrative structure in this story. What are the strengths and weaknesses of Faulkner’s writing style?

3) Who is this story about? Sarty or Abner? To what extent is Major De Spain judged in this story?

4) Pay close attention to the setting of “BB”. Is this before or after the civil war? What commentary is Faulkner making on the social order of the South?