AP English
“Barn Burning” Analysis

As a second assessment of your understanding of the critical lenses which can be applied to
literature, read William Faulkner’s short story “Barn Burning” in your textbook.

Make careful notes on your own observations and reactions to the story.

Then read the essays by Hiles, DeMott, and Wilson, which follow the story.

Write a three page, word processed interpretation of the story’s theme, using your own notes and
observations on the text (formalist approach) and including one other critical lens of your choice
from one of the essays listed above. Cite both the primary text and the critical analysis of your
choice in your interpretation.
Works Cited entries appear below:
DeMott, Benjamin. “Abner Snopes as a Victim of Class.” Close Imaginings: An
Introduction to Literature. Benjamin DeMott. New York: Bedford / St. Martin’s, 1988.
Rpt. in The Bedford Introduction to Literature. Ed. Michael Meyer. 6th ed. New York:
Bedford / St. Martins, 2002. 508-509.
Faulkner, William. “Barn Burning.” Collected Stories of William Faulkner.
Westminster, MD: Random House, 1950. Rpt. in The Bedford Introduction to Literature.
Ed. Michael Meyer. 6th ed. New York: Bedford / St. Martins, 2002. 493-505.
Hiles, Jane. “Blood ties in ‘Barn Burning.’” From “Kinship and Heredity in Faulkner’s ‘Barn
Burning.’” Mississippi Quarterly 38.3 (Summer 1985): 329-337. Rpt. in The Bedford
Introduction to Literature. Ed. Michael Meyer. 6th ed. New York: Bedford / St. Martins,
2002. 506-507.
Wilson, Gayle Edward. “Conflict in ‘Barn Burning.’” from “‘Being Pulled Two Ways’: The
Nature of Sarty’s Choice in ‘Barn Burning.’” Mississippi Quarterly 24.3
(Summer 1971): 279-88. Rpt. in The Bedford Introduction to Literature. Ed. Michael
Meyer. 6th ed. New York: Bedford / St. Martins, 2002. 509-511.
Scoring Guide “Barn Burning” Analysis
Introduction
Opens in a way to attract reader interest
2 pts.
_____
Includes clear thesis (title, author, premise, point)
3 pts.
_____
Offers a sound interpretation of theme
5 pts.
_____
Incorporates appropriate primary source passages for support 5 pts.
_____
Smoothly introduces quotes material
3 pts.
_____
Fully elaborates the significance of primary source passages
5 pts.
_____
Incorporates material from one other critical lens
10 pts.
_____
Incorporates thesis
2 pts.
_____
Considers implications of thesis
2 pts.
_____
Ends with a strong closing line
1 pt.
_____
Primary Source Quotations have proper formatting
2 pts.
_____
Primary Source Quotations have proper citations
2 pts.
Secondary Source ideas are properly cited
2 pts.
_____
Works Cited page
2 pts.
_____
Evident in unique, apt vocabulary
3 pts.
_____
Emerges in varied, interesting sentence structures
3 pts.
_____
Present tense
3 pts.
_____
Control of grammar, punctuation, spelling
3 pts.
_____
58 pts.
_____
Body
Conclusion
Citations / Formatting
`
_____
Voice
Mechanics