where can i find info (free) on the web about the themes and conflicts in BARN BURNING? better yet, does anybody know any of these? what is the importance of the role the narrator plays within the story? what specific aspect of the parent/child relationship is faulkner focusing on? what is the symbolism within the story?? thanks
and do what there? what do i look up? everything online is an essay, which has to be paid for...i don't need an essay, i am just looking for themes and symbolism used throughout the story
Maybe at the library they would have a copy, which you could read and find the answers to your questions.
Punch "William Faulkner" into a library computer and see what pops up. You should be able to find commentary books. He's considered a pretty difficult author, so there's no shortage of commentary on him. Would you be using a public library?
As a militant homosexual, Faulkner peppered his prose with gay symbolism and imagery: The barn stands for a gay utopia where boys can experiment in happiness and privacy in the hay. Snopes symbolizes Christian fundamentalism. The fire he uses to burn down the barn symbolizes the fires of hell. Let me know if you need other examples.
Gringo, quit trying to mislead the kid. You know very well that critics are divided on the meaning of the fire used to burn down the barn. While some reputable critics see it as symbolizing the fires of hell, others make a convincing case that it symbolizes the passion of consummated homo-erotic longing.
Then there will be critical books on Faulkner somewhere in the 810's or 820's (I'm assuming Dewey is used, as it still is in most public libraries). The reference section probably has some good stuff--Gale has an excellent series called "Short Stories for Students" that's often in the reference section. Also, what databases does your library subscribe to? This should much better information than you'll find online.