Final answer:
In 'Barn Burning,' Sarty does not receive a physical gift but gains moral insight as he decides to leave his destructive family. Abner Snopes burns barns in reaction to perceived wrongs, illustrating his inner and societal conflicts. The grey hair in 'A Rose for Emily' signifies Emily's obsession with her dead lover, illustrating her personal conflict.
Step-by-step explanation:
In William Faulkner's short story "Barn Burning," Colonel Sartorius Snopes, often referred to as Sarty, does not receive a physical gift. Instead, the reference to a 'gift' could symbolize the intangible gift of knowledge and moral insight he gains by the end of the story, as he confronts the reality of his father's actions and makes a decision to break away from his family's destructive cycle. Abner Snopes, Sarty's father, burns barns as a retaliatory act against perceived injustices, showcasing a man's conflict with society and his own inner turmoil. The act of barn burning itself is significant in the story because it is the catalyst for Sarty's moral awakening and his subsequent decision to leave his family in pursuit of a better life, one free from his father's criminal behavior.
Regarding "A Rose for Emily," the discovery of a single grey hair on the pillow next to the corpse of Homer Barron in Emily's bedroom signifies Emily's seclusion, obsession, and inability to let go. The hair represents Emily's presence and suggests that she has been sleeping next to her deceased lover for years, highlighting her conflict with herself and her refusal to accept the passage of time and loss.