Barn Burning Characters

Colonel (Sarty) Sartoris Snopes

Ten-year-old Sarty is the extraordinary hero of "Barn Burning." Sarty's father forces him to help...

Abner Snopes

Abner is a terrifying figure. He controls his family with physical and psychological violence,...

Lennie Snopes

Lennie is Sarty's mother and Abner's wife. Like Sarty, she lives in fear of Abner. Although she...

The Brother

Sarty's brother doesn't get much of a role in "Barn Burning." Until his brother speaks his first...

The Sisters

Sarty's sisters are twins. We don't know how old they are. One of them seems to be named "Net,"...

The Aunt

Sarty's aunt is his mother's sister. Her first name seems to be Lizzie, but Lizzie might be one...

Major de Spain

Major de Spain is Abner's arch-nemesis in the story. He is Abner's employer and landlord after...

Mr. Harris

Harris was the Snopes' neighbor at the beginning of the story, and a victim of Abner's barn...

The Justices of the Peace

Both Justices are portrayed fairly positively. They both seem to try to do the right thing,...