Experience and Identity: An Analysis of Barn Burning by William Faulkner and Everyday Use by Alice Walker

Strong Similarities are found between “Barn Burning” by William Faulkner and “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker. Both stories feature characters that are unsure of themselves and are affected by someone in their family; most importantly these characters have an experience which give them a new and much needed identity. In “Barn Burning” the main focus will be on Sarty’s emotions and his eventual acceptance of self. I will focus primarily on Ms. Johnson and her two daughters with special focus on Maggie when discussing “Everyday Use”. Although the themes found in both stories are similar, circumstances surrounding the gained identity and independence are different. The following analysis aims to portray the similarities and differences found in Barn Burning and Everyday Use, concerning the experiences and identities described in both.