According to William Faulkner, “The past is never dead. It didn't even happen. Faulkner's "Barn Burning" mimics this quote by providing insight into the events of a lineage so seemingly doomed by its history that its present and future generations are disfigured by their past. However, one member of this family, Sarty Snopes, becomes increasingly estranged from his controlling father, Abner, throughout the novella. Despite his strong love for his father, Sarty realizes that if his father cannot change, then Sarty must escape his inherited past figuratively and literally. Even though the other Snopes in "Barn Burning" are doomed to their futures because of their pasts, Sarty is the one who is able to break free from his family's fate and choose his own path. Say no to plagiarism. Get a Custom Essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get Original Essay Abner Snopes' past and present actions overwhelmingly control his family's present and future. Therefore, Snopes have no choice but to fall in line or fall victim to his actions. It already appears that Abner's wife, daughters and other son are obeying his every demand. For example, when Abner asks his wife to stop Sarty from intervening so Abner can burn another barn, she obligingly does so. Sarty's brother then suggests: "It's better to tie [Sarty] to the bedpost." Clearly, Abner's son is already becoming as ruthless, if not more so, than his father. Sarty's brother's comment is proof that because of Abner's strong imposition of his character and attitude on his wife and children, his future offspring will be as ruthless as Abner. In one particular moment, the narrator mentions that Abner's descendants demanded the same impassive quality of overtaking a car's engine that Abner demands in whipping his mules. Apparently, there is an aura of cruelty deeply rooted in Abner's blood. The narrator reveals that this cruelty could be the result of Abner's scarred past. His behavior and outlook on life are linked to his upbringing and his time at war, during which he received several war injuries, including a notable limp. Physically and emotionally scarred by his past, Abner becomes accustomed to living a subsistence lifestyle and he transforms into a cold being, incapable of showing his emotions. Because Abner failed to show his children his emotions while raising them, they will also be unable to express themselves emotionally. Moreover, they risk passing on Abner's cruelty to their children. Clearly, Abner's blood is tainted with overwhelming cruelty and coldness that affects his present and future generations. Despite having Abner's blood in his veins, Sarty is able to ignore Abner's pull on him and choose his own destiny. Sarty is already planning to disobey his father at the courthouse where Abner is on trial for burning down his neighbor's barn. Sarty is called to testify and he briefly considers testifying against his father before the judge calls him back. Abner notices Sarty's hesitation and tries to reinforce his values ​​by clearly hitting him over the head. He then said to Sarty: "You must learn to stick to your own blood, otherwise you will have no blood to stick to you." In an effort to please Abner, Sarty remains submissive to his father until they arrive at the village. new farm. Upon his arrival, Sarty has a fleeting hope that Abner's behavioral habits will end after seeing the mansion in which the De Spains live. Sarty thinks the De Spains are so rich his father couldn't touch them. For the Of.