The Fragmented Family Relationships in Sam Shepard's Buried Child

Abstract

Sam Shepard ( 1943 – 2017 ), USA. He was a celebrated American dramatist author, actor, a screenwriter and a director. He lived a difficult childhood through moving around several American army bases until his father’s retirement from the army. Due to Shepard’s father’s growing alcoholism and lack of responsibility for his family, young Shepard developed a disagreed relationship with his father, admiring his courage and hard-working personality, yet scorning him for his irresponsibility and unpredictable moods. Shepard's Buried Child, was first presented at the Magic Theatre in San Francisco, where Shepard was a playwright in residence from 1974 to 1984. The first appearance of the play was in 1978 and it won a unique prize, the Pulitzer Prize in 1979. The play was described by its author as a "typical Pulitzer Prize winning play". Buried Child, then received fine critical appreciation that reflected its successful revival.