William Faulkner's Barn Burning

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts from William Faulkner's 'Barn Burning,' designed to help you understand the themes, characters, and settings of the story.

Justice of the Peace

A judicial officer with limited authority, often in rural areas, who handles minor legal matters.

Hog

A domesticated pig; a common farm animal.

Barn Burning

A short story by William Faulkner, exploring themes of class conflict, family loyalty, and social injustice.

Colonel Sartoris Snopes

The young protagonist of 'Barn Burning,' a boy caught between his father’s actions and societal expectations.

Nigger

A historically derogatory term for black people; in the context of the story, reflects the racial attitudes of the time.

Provost's man

A military policeman, particularly in the context of the Confederate Army.

Despair

The complete loss or absence of hope, a recurring theme in Faulkner's narrative.

Grief

Deep sorrow, often for the loss of someone or something; depicted in the emotional turmoil of the characters.

Tin cans

Metal containers for food, representing the mundane reality of life.

Dynamic shapes

The visual and physical form of objects that seem lively or active; used to describe the store’s shelves.

The old fierce pull of blood

The deep-seated loyalty and connection to family, especially in the face of adversity.

Hermetic meat

A type of preserved meat that is sealed tightly, evoking notions of suffocation or entrapment.

Long seconds of quiet

The intense moments of silence that heighten emotional tension in the courtroom.

Stiff black coat

Symbolizes the father's harshness and rigid demeanor throughout the story.

Civil war

A reference to the American Civil War, which shapes the backdrop of the family's struggles.

Implacable limp

An unyielding and determined physical mannerism, reflecting the father’s character.

Peel a willow

To strike with a branch from a willow tree, a metaphor for the father's violent tendencies.

Lye

A strong alkaline solution, often used in soap-making; relates to the family's crude lifestyle.

Major de Spain

A character in 'Barn Burning,' representing the wealthy landowner class.

Peace and dignity

Contrasting themes of the story that represent safety and societal order, which the Snopes family lacks.

Niggard blaze

A small fire, symbolizing the father's frugality and severity.

Inferiority complex

A psychological condition where a person feels inadequate; relevant in the boy's feelings toward his family.

Sweat

Symbolizes hard work and the exploitation of labor, especially in reference to the Negro community.

Rolling rug

A significant object within the story that represents class conflict and social tension.

Kerosene can

Represents potential destruction, a tool for burning down the barn.

Whippoorwill

A nocturnal bird whose call symbolizes environmental sounds and the natural setting.

Greed

An intense, selfish desire for something, particularly wealth; exemplified through the father’s character.

Blood bond

Familial loyalty that compels the boy to struggle between his father's actions and his own morals.

Urgent grief

The intense emotional response to loss and the need to protect family honor.

Blacksmith shop

A place of labor and craftsmanship, representing a working-class lifestyle.

Panic

An intense feeling of fear or anxiety; experienced by characters at pivotal moments.

Emotional turmoil

The psychological struggle characters face, particularly relating to love, loyalty, and familial bonds.

Social injustice

The unfair treatment and discrimination faced by characters, central to the story's themes.

Civil rights

Refers to the rights of citizens to political and social freedom and equality, a theme relevant to the race relations in the narrative.