Abner is angry at his society, perhaps because it has categorized him as a second-class citizen. For this reason, he hurts those who have wronged him, in addition to his family. This anger is expressed by his words in the judge's chambers. When told to go, Abner says, "I aim to. I don't figure to stay in a country among people who..." His inability to articulate his anger suggests that the reason for his refusal to accept society and his inability to be accepted by it is important, too large even to speak. Unlike Oedipus, however, who shows contrition and dismay when he realizes what he has done to Thebes, Abner responds with barn burning. He takes out his anger on society by trying to destroy it, more specifically by trying to destroy the material possessions that separated him from society. Thus, both Oedipus the King and Abner Snopes are in conflict with their respective societies. While Oedipus begins his story as heartwarmingly accepted by society, only to...

Furthermore, while Oedipus regrets the fact that he has cursed society, Abner attempts to correct it through his barn burning. Although these differences mark the major inconsistencies between these two characters and their relationship to society, others exist. For example, Oedipus is completely unaware of his position in society, while Abner is aware, and may have even created, this place. Thus, while both Oedipus and Abner, in the reflection of their respective societies, are outcasts, their circumstances and reactions allow for differences in meaning on the part of their authors.
Works Cited

Faulkner, William. "Barn Burning." RajuAbju. 2005. 28 January 2008. http://www.rajuabju.com/literature/barnburning.htm

Sophocles. "Oedipus the King." The Online Classics Library. n.d. 28 January 2008. http://classics.mit.edu/Sophocles/oedipus.html