Plot summary, “Buried Child” by Sam Shepard in 5 Minutes - Book Review
0Title: Buried Child
Year of Publication: 1978
Author: Sam Shepard
"Buried Child" is a critically acclaimed play written by Sam Shepard, an American playwright, actor, and author. It was first published in 1978 and quickly became one of Shepard's most famous works. The play received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1979.
Set in the mid-1970s, "Buried Child" revolves around the dysfunctional and deeply troubled American family, the Traces. The story is centered on a dilapidated farmhouse located in rural Illinois, where the family's dark secrets and fractured relationships unfold.
At the heart of the narrative is Dodge, the family's patriarch, who is sickly and confined to a wheelchair. His wife, Halie, appears to be detached from reality, constantly engaging in a delusional affair with the local minister. Their two sons, Tilden and Bradley, are both troubled individuals, with Tilden displaying signs of mental instability and Bradley harboring a violent streak.
As the play progresses, the arrival of Tilden's son, Vince, and his girlfriend, Shelly, exposes the buried secrets of the family. The revelations that unfold are dark and disturbing, challenging the traditional notions of the American Dream and exploring themes of disillusionment, decay, and the breakdown of the nuclear family.
Shepard's "Buried Child" is known for its surrealistic elements, blending realism with absurdity and dark humor. The play masterfully captures the decline of rural America, reflecting the crumbling state of the American Dream and the disintegration of traditional family values.
With its powerful and thought-provoking themes, "Buried Child" has been widely regarded as a significant contribution to American literature. Its exploration of family dysfunction, disillusionment, and societal decay has made it a staple in the realm of contemporary theater and continues to resonate with audiences to this day.
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