Jealousy leads people into making irrational decisions. In William Faulkner's "Barn Burning", one of the protagonists, Abner Snopes, unleashes his jealousy-induced rage through fire. His pride and obstinate personality obstruct his rational thinking. He takes matters into his own hands and consciously decides to destroy the property of others. Benjamin DeMott explains that Abner's decisions are a result of his lack of education, building his frustration towards those surrounding him. He is a "figure in whom ignorance and brutality obliterate every sympathetic impulse, every normative response to peace, dignity, or beauty"(DeMott, 388). His actions, while hateful and destructive, are motivated be feelings of jealousy and resentment that, to some degree, are justified. Abner Snopes" circumstances and class issues make him both pitiful and admirable.
Abner's overbearing pride leads to the justification of his actions, believing in his word over the word of the law. Abner sits quietly in court, but really believes in his own judgment and finds no need to argue with anyone else. "His father spoke for the first time, his voice cold and harsh-I don't figure to stay in a country among people who-His father turned, and he followed the stiff black coat" (374). Everything is gray, black, and stiff with Abner. He is untouched by the world, and responds very coldly towards everyone. Abner recognizes no law but his own, and does not comply with society's code of conduct, regardless his obvious guilt. His pride also leaves him with a lot of resentment towards occupying a position similar to a "nigger" in, his boss, DeSpain's world. "That's sweat. Nigger sweat. Maybe it ain't white enough yet to suit him. Maybe he wants to mix some white sweat with it."(378) Abner talks about DeSpain's pretty white house being sullied with blacks working in it. Abner contains a lot of resentment towards both blacks and the class system because he is now treated like an African American even though he is white.