English Comp II: William Faulkner: Barn Burning

"Barn Burning" is a story about a poor rural family. As the story opens, a trial is taking place. Abner Snopes, a sharecropper, has been accused of burning down someone's barn because they made him pay for some corn his hog damaged. Abner is found not guilty due to lack of evidence, but is told by the judge to leave town. Abner does, and takes his family with him. They finally arrive at the home of Major de' Spain. Upon arrival, Abner steps in horse droppings and intentionally rubs his foot into the family's rug, ruining the rug. He is ordered by the town justice of the peace to pay in ten extra bushels of corn to pay for the rug. Instead of doing this, he decides to burn down de' Spain's barn, and ends up getting shot.