Buried Child - Sam Shepard

Buried Child

Sam Shepard has always written plays that have numerous illusions to frustrate the reader. Shepard has also been known for several twists in his plays, and also makes the reader believe in something that is not real. Born in 1943, Shepard always enjoyed Theatre and Playwriting. Now, nearly 60 years of age, Shepard is one of the most famous playwrights in America.

In Shepard's Buried Child, there are many twists and turns that have the reader wondering and wanting more. Buried Child can be similar to classic plays such as Oedipus Rex, where Shepard includes the theme of incest. He has also included many symbolic objects and Native American symbols of renewal with the large quantity of vegetables in the backyard of the family's house.

There are seven main characters in this play, the majority belonging to one family. The first impression seems like the family in the play are a normal Middle American family. Dodges one-track alcoholic mind, Halie's irritating personality, and Tilden's distant relationship with his father seems fairly typical of an elderly family; however, this is far from the truth.

The play begins with Dodge, who is in his seventies, may not have much longer to live. He has an unhealthy cough, which gives the thought that he is extremely ill. In the play, Shepard is pointing out that Dodge is not only sick physically, but also mentally. His vicious cough seems to show the progression of his illness throughout the play.

The introduction of Tilden, Dodge's son, is quite unusual; he enters the house with an armful of corn and drops it in front of his father. The significance of this action will be noticed further into the play. When Tilden brings the corn in from the backyard, his father looks at him and tells him to give the corn back, thinking he has stolen it. Dodge snaps, "I haven't planted corn back there since 1935, so take that damn corn back form where ever you got it." Yet, Tilden argues that the entire back yard is filled with tall stalks of corn, carrots and potatoes.

Tilden is a young man living with his parents after getting in trouble in New Mexico. Halie, Tilden's mother and Dodge's wife, is abnormally protective of Tilden, which he is not allowed to do or say anything without the permission of Dodge or herself. Halie is constantly worrying about Tilden, and appears that this is more than a mother being protective of her children. It seems she views him as being unable to take care of himself.

In the next scene, Halie meets with the community minister to talk about a statue for her dead son Ansal, which is somewhat disturbing. She is dressed in a black vale, extended black gloves, and a long black dress. It seems that she is going to a funeral for her lost son, instead of going to lunch and chatting with the minister. In addition, the reader hears about the last son, Bradley, who has had a serious accident with a chain saw where he cuts his leg off. Not much is know about Bradley in the beginning of the play except of his amputation, and also that he is the younger of the two sons who has a fake leg. Before the climax of this play, the reader should be able to see that something is wrong with this family. In this play, there is not one event that stands out as being completely peculiar, but there are clever hints that allow the reader to know that there is far more to this family.

The turning point of this play suddenly happens without the reader knowing. It is when Tilden's Son, Vince, comes to visit the family. He appears at the house after six years with his girlfriend Shelly, which he is trying to secure his past problems with his family. The problem however, is that none of his family members recognizes him. It is at the peak of the play when the reader is able to fully realize how deformed this family is.

As Vince enters the house with Shelly, Dodge reacts to him and says, "Did you bring the Whiskey?" This question has Vince puzzled for he has just arrived at the house; he replies, "I just got here grandpa." It gets more confusing when Dodge starts to question Vince: "You left? You went outside after we told you not to." This may be Dodge having a slight memory relapse, since Dodge may think Vince is actually his own son. Vince continues saying, "You remember me?" Dodge replies, "I have never seen you before until now." Tilden then enters the room with an armful of carrots and observes Vince. Like before, Vince is completely unrecognizable. Vince then looks at his father face-to-face and says, "Dad, it is me your son Vince." Tilden responds with a calm tone, "I had a son once, but we buried him." This response indicates major events to come, which also serves as the play's most important incident because it connects back to the beginning and ending of the play.

There are many major complications in this play, and each one has contributions to the value and effectiveness of the play. For example, the introduction of Bradley to the reader seemed to be the one person who is normal in the family, perhaps the person who is keeping the family together. Nevertheless, Shepard quickly ends that idea when Bradley reaches

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