he fact that if Abner knew his desire for truth, justice, he would have hit(280) him again and that Abners recommendation that he learn to stick to his own blood or you aint going to have any blood to stick to you(280) is more of a threat rather than fatherly advice. Sarty learns to stifle any qualms he has and overlook his own developing morals in order to defend his fathers cold-blooded attacks. In the face of Abners outrage and savagery and lust(286) and the ever-present conflict these emotional outbursts cause, Sartys sense of obligation to his father out weighs his desire to run on and on and never look back(286). He hopes being forced out of town will transform the side of Abner that possesses an inherent [ly] voracious prodigality with material not his own(279) and he will be satisfied once and for all. As father and son walk within sight of an impressive manor big as a courthouse(280) owned by Major de Spain, a wealthy landowner with whom Abner has struck a deal to farm corn on his land, Sarty knows at once that they are safe from him(280). His fathers ravening(281) envy could not possibly touch these people whose lives are part of this peace and dignity(281). But, Abner is seething with jealous rage(281) at the sight of the de Spain manor and once again, Sarty sees that familiar quality of something . . . ruthless . . . depthless(281) emerge. Sartys piece of mind falters as he witnesses Abner walking an undeviating course(281) towards the de Spain manor with horse manure steaming from his shoes and a ruthless(281) glint in his eyes. He worries that Abner will revert back to barn burning as a way to ease his anger at feeling inferior and defeated by the aristocratic society he been a slave to. Sartys ever-present optimism that his father will change makes the audience almost sympathetic to Abners ferocious conviction(279) that there is none more deserving of economic independence than him and his family. Sartys hope that st...
