Playwrights Sam Shepard and Amy Freed

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that two important contemporary playwrights, Sam Shepard and Amy Freed, investigate liminal and traumatic psychological experiences in their analysis of dysfunctional relationships between fathers and sons. The author points out that Shepard's play "Buried Child" incorporates important allusions to the Oedipus myth; whereas, Amy Freed's "Freedomland" hints at the Biblical myth of the flood.

From the Paper:

"The play hints at the need for spiritual regeneration in many ways. Thus, food appears frequently in the text in various forms, as a hint for the need of spiritual nurture. In the present state of things, the corrupted relationship between father and son point to degeneration and corruption. The corpse of the buried child which later is unearthed by Tilden is symbolic for corruption and degeneration. Significantly, Tilden seems to be drawn to the place where the child was buried and keeps digging for something. He first comes back to the house with an armful of corn."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Freed, Amy. Freedomland. New York: Dramatist's Service Plays, 1999.
• Shepard, Sam. Buried Child, New York: Dramatist's Play Service, 1997.

More papers on Playwrights Sam Shepard and Amy Freed:

• Essay # 66885 : "Sam Houston and Native Americans"
• Essay # 49211 : "Sam Walton and Wal-Mart"
• Book Review # 33066 : "Sam Houston and the American Southwest"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: