s at the center of the family's discord. His history of breaking the law begins when he is supposed to be fighting during the Civil War. "That niggard blaze was the living fruit of nights passed during those four years in the woods hiding from all men, blue or gray, with his strings of horses (captured horses, he called them)".Following the war Abner's escalation of lawlessness took on a more personal level. He uses the weapon of fire to attack the people who's status or achievments he most envies. Abner's last act of defiance against the social elite, causes his son to break the barrier of dominance. Sarty runs to De Spain to warn him of his fathers plan. "He was out of the room, out of the house, [...] reaching the gate at last and turning in, running, his heart and lungs drumming, on up the drive toward the lighted house, the lighted door. He did not knock, he burst in, sobbing for breath, incapable for the moment of speech. [...] 'De Spain!' he cried, panted. [...] 'Barn!'" Sarty's warning allowed De Spain to mount his horse and ride to the barn to confront Abner. In an attempt to stop the lawlessness, Sarty assumes he has caused the death of his father and brother due to the gunshots echoing from the barn. Abner's lack of respect for the law has led to the final disintegration of his family. Because of his constant instigation of conflict, the ongoing domination of his family and his complete lack of respect for the law, the Snope family was doomed to a continual life of conflict. His desire to build his own self worth by the pain of others, has a profound effect on his family. The respect he desires was not to be found in his own home, his family responds to his wishes out of fear rather than respect. The break up of his family is his only legacy....
