1) Like some of the stories you have read before William Faulkner’s Barn Burning is a coming of age, initiation story in many ways. Sarty is the young son of a very difficult and angry and abusive father and Sarty finally and painfully has to stand up to his father and in the process betray him (which leads to the father’s death) and run away to live life on his own terms and principles.
Comment on Faulkner’s attitude towards Abner Snopes and Sarty in terms of style, tone, and diction. Use quotations to make your point.
2) Alice Walker’s “Everyday Use” is a very important, celebrated short story that has been widely studied, cited, and anthologized.
Comment on the symbol (a symbol is a person, place, or thing in a narrative that suggests meanings beyond its literal sense. Symbol is related to allegory (look up allegory), but it works in more complex ways. A symbol often contains multiple meanings and associations) of the quilt and its multiple meanings and associations for African American women and women in general. Remember the use and significance of quilting and stitches in Glaspell’s play Trifles.