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

The Image of Fire in Faulkners Short Stories, Barn yearning and Shingles for the LordThe image of move was very prominent in Faulkners short stories Barn Burning and Shingles for the Lord. Throughout the two stories, advance emerged as a pestilential device. The production of fire directly or indirectly destroyed piazza and the image of the characters, Snopes and Pap. Fire symbolized the characters dishonest ways and destruction of his identity in society. The fathers present in the two stories possessed deceitful natures. In the story Barn Burning, Snopes ill manner erupted into arson. He appeared as the defiant worker. After destroying the landowners expensive rug, he ref apply to repair the ten bushels of corn and burned the landowners barn (18-21). His safety to fire symbolized his derogatory ways. Fire was his most destructive tool to drive his revenge. In comparison, in Shingles for the Lord, Pap indirectly produced fire. In his misleading plot, he tried to outsmart a fellow worker by removing shingles off the church roof at night. However, the lantern he expendd for light created a fire in the church (39). His accidental settle of fire was a result of his deception toward his fellow worker. Fire was an crowning(prenominal) consequence of his behavior. Each character used fire as a destructive weapon and finally destroyed 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, just now I can give you advice. Leave this country and dont come back to it (5). Snopes use of arson destroyed his self-image in apparent motion 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 decrease man, and an untrustworthy individual. The preacher, Whitfield, told Pap, If there is any pursuit in which you can lock without carrying flood and fire and destruction and death behind you, do it. however not one hand shall you lay to this new house until you take in proved to us that you are to be trusted 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 presence in society.