ABSTRACT
ANTONIUS CHRISTIAN. The Significance of Symbols as Expressed by Vince in Sam Shepard’s Buried Child. Yogyakarta: English Education Study Program, Department of Language and Art Education, Faculty of Teachers Training and Education, Sanata Dharma University, 2008.
This thesis analyzes Sam Shepard’s play entitled Buried Child. The play is about a crisis of an American family caused by the immorality of the members.
This study focuses on the possible meanings of symbols as expressed by Vince, one of the characters in the play.
To analyze the play, two problems are formulated. The first problem deals with Vince’s characteristics. The second problem deals with the possible meanings of symbols expressed by Vince.
The primary data of this study is Sam Shepard’s Buried Child while the secondary data are those taken from books, journals, essays, and the internet.
To accomplish this study, formalist approach is employed. In this thesis, theory of symbolism, theory of character and characterization, theory of formalism and personality structure are needed to solve the two problems.
There are two findings of the analysis. First finding is Vince’s characteristics which are obedient, positive thinking, kind, greedy, irascible, high motivated, arrogant, authoritarian, and a person who honors his family much. Second finding shows that Vince clarifies that a symbol can have more than one meaning. In this case, Vince is a symbol of a strong desire in maintaining his identity as a member of the family, a desire to embrace his ancestry, an inability to confront the denial of the family, an inability to escape from his heritage, a quest for identity, a family renewal, innocence, an effort to escape from the family denial, a failure in his quest for identity, an anticipation toward the corruption in the family, a fulfillment for his quest for identity, an emotional transformation, a continuity from the preceding generation to the next generation.
It is recommended that further researchers deal with the same topic by emphasizing the roles of Vince as the true symbol of family renewal. As for English teacher, the material of this study can be used in teaching Extensive Reading II to the Fifth semester students of English Education Study Program, Sanata Dharma University.
ABSTRAK
ANTONIUS CHRISTIAN. The Significance of Symbols as Expressed by Vince in Sam Shepard’s Buried Child.Yogyakarta: Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris, Fakultas Keguruan dan Ilmu Pengetahuan. Universitas Sanata Dharma, 2008.
Skripsi ini membahas karya Sam Shepard yang berjudul Buried Child. Drama ini berkisah tentang krisis di dalam sebuah keluarga Amerika dikarenakan merosotnya nilai moral.
Skripsi ini mengkaji makna simbol yang digambarkan oleh Vince, salah satu karakter di dalam cerita.
Untuk mengkaji cerita, dirumuskan dua pokok bahasan. Pembahasan pertama berkaitan dengan perwatakan Vince. Pembahasan kedua berkaitan dengan makna simbol yang digambarkan oleh Vince.
Dalam skripsi ini penulis menggunakan metode kepustakaan yang menggunakan beberapa sumber; Buried Child karya Sam Shepard sebagai sumber data utama, dan sumber data kedua mengambil dari beberapa buku, jurnal, karya ilmiah dan internet.
Penulis juga menggunakan pendekatan formalis, teori tokoh dan perwatakan, teori penyimbolan dan teori susunan kepribadian untuk membahas dua pokok permasalahan dari skripsi ini.
Hasil dari pembahasan menunjukkan bahwa, pertama, perwatakan Vince adalah sebagai berikut; penurut, berpikiran positif, baik, serakah, pemarah, memiliki motivasi tinggi, tinggi hati, suka memerintah dan sangat menghormati keluarganya. Kedua, Vince menerangkan simbol sebagai keinginan kuat dalam mempertahankan jati dirinya sebagai anggota keluarga, keinginan untuk terhubung dengan silsilah keluarganya, ketidakmampuan diri dalam menghadapi penolakan dari keluarganya, ketidakmampuan untuk lari dari masa lalu keluarganya, pencarian jati diri, pembaharuan keluarga, kepolosan, usaha untuk lari dari penolakan keluarganya, kegagalan dalam pencarian jati diri, antisipasi terhadap kesalahan yang mungkin akan terjadi dalam keluarganya, keberhasilan dalam pencarian jati diri, perubahan emosi, dan penerusan garis keturunan dari generasi pendahulu ke generasi penerus.
Bagi peneliti selanjutnya disarankan untuk membahas topik yang sama dengan menekankan peran Vince sebagai symbol pembaharuan keluarga. Dan bagi pengajar bahasa inggris, materi didalam skripsi ini dapat digunakan dalam pembelajaran Extensive Reading II untuk mahasiswa Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris semester V Universitas Sanata Dharma.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SYMBOLS AS EXPRESED
BY VINCE IN SAM SHEPARD’S BURIED CHILD
A THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements forSarjana PendidikanDegree
in English Education Study Program
BY
ANTONIUS CHRISTIAN Student Number: 041214001
ENGLISH EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND ART EDUCATION FACULTY OF TEACHERS TRAINING AND EDUCATION
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY YOGYAKARTA
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SYMBOLS AS EXPRESED
BY VINCE IN SAM SHEPARD’S BURIED CHILD
A THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements forSarjana PendidikanDegree
in English Education Study Program
BY
ANTONIUS CHRISTIAN Student Number: 041214001
ENGLISH EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND ART EDUCATION FACULTY OF TEACHERS TRAINING AND EDUCATION
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY YOGYAKARTA
2008
ASarjana Pendidikan Thesis
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SYMBOL AS EXPRESSED
BY VINCE IN SAM SHEPARD’S BURIED CHILD
By
ANTONIUS CHRISTIAN
Student Number: 041214001
Approved by
Major Sponsor
ASarjana PendidikanThesis
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SYMBOL AS EXPRESSED
BY VINCE IN SAM SHEPARD’S BURIED CHILD
By
ANTONIUS CHRISTIAN
Student Number: 041214001
Defended before the Board of Examiners on September 22, 2008
and Declared Acceptable
Board of Examiners
Chairman : A. Hardi Prasetyo, S.Pd., M.A. ____________
Secretary : Made Frida Yulia, S.Pd., M.Pd. ____________
Member : Dr. A. Herujiyanto, M.A. ____________
Member : Henny Herawati, S.Pd., M.Hum. ____________
Member : Ch. Kristiyani, S.Pd., M.Pd. ____________
Yogyakarta, September 30, 2008
Faculty of Teacher Training Education
Sanata Dharma University
Dean
STATEMENT OF WORK’S
I honestly declare that this thesis, which I wrote, does not contain the works or
part of the works of other, except those which are cited in the quotations and
bibliography, as a scientific paper should.
Yogyakarta, September 13, 2008
The writer
“LIFE IS ABOUT STRUGGLE, BECAUSE
IT BRINGS US CLOSER TO OUR HOPES”
(SOEDIRMAN)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
First of all, I would like to thank Jesus Christ for his amazing blessing and
grace. Because of Him, I can be what I am right now. I thank Him for giving me
strength and guidance along my way so that finally I can finish writing this thesis.
In this opportunity, I would also like to send my gratitude to my advisor,
Dr. A. Herujiyanto, M.A. for the guidance, suggestion, and support given to me in
completing my thesis. To Henny Herawati, S.Pd., M.Hum. and Ch. Kristiyani,
S.Pd., M.Pd., I thank them for correcting this thesis.
I thank my dearest father Daniel Ikhsan Suryadi and my beloved mother
Sunarti Helena for their love, prayer, trust, and supports. I thank them for their
hard work to give me the great chance of studying in University. I also thank them
for teaching me how to be the real I am. To my sisters, Ratna, Emil and little
Nami, I thank them for giving me love and trust me as their brother. To my
beloved Desynata Purnamasari, I thank her for her love, patience, his time to
accompany me passing through the stressful days, her supports, and all the things
she has done to make me be a better man.
I thank all my 2003-2004 PBI friends especially Jody, Rini gentho,
Pet-pet, Polly, Kris, Suksma, Dian Moo, Cay-cay, Elly, Riri, Ica, Marsel item, The
Asjods (On, Lani, and Ibam), Jii-bu Tika, Dudung, Proty, dewa Be, Den Bagus
Punto, Prast-Niken, Pin, Q-yer, pak dosen Galih, The Bebeks (Tri Kebo, Wisnu
Kenti, Andri Koki, Lukas, Chandra Leak, Agus Jampes, Agus Tesi, Yuli,
Bangun), Danan ndut, and Anon, for the joy and kindness they shared with me.
The last but not least, I thank the entire lecturers and staff of English
Eucation Study Program for their helps and cooperation during my study. For all
people whose name cannot be mentioned one by one, thank for all the helps given
to me.
Antonius Christian
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE... i
PAGE OFAPPROVAL... ii
PAGE OF BOARD OF EXAMINERS... iii
STATEMENT OF WORK’S ORIGINALITY... iv
PAGE OF MOTTO... v
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS... vi
TABLE OF CONTENTS... vii
ABSTRACT ... ix
ABSTRAK ... x
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION... 1
A. Background of the Study ... 1
B. Objective of the Study ... 4
C. Problems Formulation ... 4
D. Definition of Terms ... 5
CHAPTER II: THEORETICAL REVIEW... 6
A. Review of Related Studies... 6
B. Review of Related Theories ... 7
C. Criticism ... 13
D. Context of the Study ... 14
E. Theoretical Framework... 15
CHAPTER III: METHODOLOGY... 16
A. Object of the Study ... 16
B. Approach to the Study ... 17
C. Method of the Study ... 18
CHAPTER IV: ANALYSIS ... 20
A. The Characterization of Vince... 20
B. The Possible meanings of Symbols as Expressed by Vince... 28
CHAPTER V: CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTIONS ... 45
A. Conclusion ... 45
B. Suggestions ... 46
BIBLIOGRAPH... 50
APPENDICES... 52
ABSTRACT
ANTONIUS CHRISTIAN. The Significance of Symbols as Expressed by Vince in Sam Shepard’s Buried Child. Yogyakarta: English Education Study Program, Department of Language and Art Education, Faculty of Teachers Training and Education, Sanata Dharma University, 2008.
This thesis analyzes Sam Shepard’s play entitled Buried Child. The play is about a crisis of an American family caused by the immorality of the members.
This study focuses on the possible meanings of symbols as expressed by Vince, one of the characters in the play.
To analyze the play, two problems are formulated. The first problem deals with Vince’s characteristics. The second problem deals with the possible meanings of symbols expressed by Vince.
The primary data of this study is Sam Shepard’s Buried Child while the secondary data are those taken from books, journals, essays, and the internet.
To accomplish this study, formalist approach is employed. In this thesis, theory of symbolism, theory of character and characterization, theory of formalism and personality structure are needed to solve the two problems.
There are two findings of the analysis. First finding is Vince’s characteristics which are obedient, positive thinking, kind, greedy, irascible, high motivated, arrogant, authoritarian, and a person who honors his family much. Second finding shows that Vince clarifies that a symbol can have more than one meaning. In this case, Vince is a symbol of a strong desire in maintaining his identity as a member of the family, a desire to embrace his ancestry, an inability to confront the denial of the family, an inability to escape from his heritage, a quest for identity, a family renewal, innocence, an effort to escape from the family denial, a failure in his quest for identity, an anticipation toward the corruption in the family, a fulfillment for his quest for identity, an emotional transformation, a continuity from the preceding generation to the next generation.
It is recommended that further researchers deal with the same topic by emphasizing the roles of Vince as the true symbol of family renewal. As for English teacher, the material of this study can be used in teaching Extensive Reading II to the Fifth semester students of English Education Study Program, Sanata Dharma University.
ABSTRAK
ANTONIUS CHRISTIAN. The Significance of Symbols as Expressed by Vince in Sam Shepard’s Buried Child.Yogyakarta: Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris, Fakultas Keguruan dan Ilmu Pengetahuan. Universitas Sanata Dharma, 2008.
Skripsi ini membahas karya Sam Shepard yang berjudul Buried Child. Drama ini berkisah tentang krisis di dalam sebuah keluarga Amerika dikarenakan merosotnya nilai moral.
Skripsi ini mengkaji makna simbol yang digambarkan oleh Vince, salah satu karakter di dalam cerita.
Untuk mengkaji cerita, dirumuskan dua pokok bahasan. Pembahasan pertama berkaitan dengan perwatakan Vince. Pembahasan kedua berkaitan dengan makna simbol yang digambarkan oleh Vince.
Dalam skripsi ini penulis menggunakan metode kepustakaan yang menggunakan beberapa sumber; Buried Child karya Sam Shepard sebagai sumber data utama, dan sumber data kedua mengambil dari beberapa buku, jurnal, karya ilmiah dan internet.
Penulis juga menggunakan pendekatan formalis, teori tokoh dan perwatakan, teori penyimbolan dan teori susunan kepribadian untuk membahas dua pokok permasalahan dari skripsi ini.
Hasil dari pembahasan menunjukkan bahwa, pertama, perwatakan Vince adalah sebagai berikut; penurut, berpikiran positif, baik, serakah, pemarah, memiliki motivasi tinggi, tinggi hati, suka memerintah dan sangat menghormati keluarganya. Kedua, Vince menerangkan simbol sebagai keinginan kuat dalam mempertahankan jati dirinya sebagai anggota keluarga, keinginan untuk terhubung dengan silsilah keluarganya, ketidakmampuan diri dalam menghadapi penolakan dari keluarganya, ketidakmampuan untuk lari dari masa lalu keluarganya, pencarian jati diri, pembaharuan keluarga, kepolosan, usaha untuk lari dari penolakan keluarganya, kegagalan dalam pencarian jati diri, antisipasi terhadap kesalahan yang mungkin akan terjadi dalam keluarganya, keberhasilan dalam pencarian jati diri, perubahan emosi, dan penerusan garis keturunan dari generasi pendahulu ke generasi penerus.
Bagi peneliti selanjutnya disarankan untuk membahas topik yang sama dengan menekankan peran Vince sebagai symbol pembaharuan keluarga. Dan bagi pengajar bahasa inggris, materi didalam skripsi ini dapat digunakan dalam pembelajaran Extensive Reading II untuk mahasiswa Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris semester V Universitas Sanata Dharma.
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
This chapter consists of four parts, namely, Background of Study,
Objective of Study, Problem Formulation, and Definition of Terms.
A. Background of the Study
Literature can be noticed in every facets of human being because it reveals
action, happiness, sadness, anxiety, and even love. It also represents myth, culture,
history, theology, morality, and psychology. We can get closer to human being
with the whole problems, feelings, and emotions, and the thin boundary between
reality and illusion. Literature helps human in delivering various ideas which
come from his thoughts and experiences and of course it is an interesting
phenomena to observe. Through literature, human also can make his dreams come
true because in literature he can transfer what he dreams of into literary works
which further give the others opportunity to understand what is actually his
dreams . Literature has varieties or categories that sometimes we called “genres”.
Those genres are prose fiction, poetry, and drama. Drama which becomes the
subject to analyze contains some elements. One of them is a dramatic text,the text
of plays that can be read or performed, often gives people self-consciousness and
satisfaction. It deepens and broadens the understanding of life, because it refers to
an imitation of human behaviors and human events. Perrine states in his book
Literature: Sound and Sense that a literature is written to be understand and
enjoyed. It will make life less tedious and one will feel that hours pass quickly,
one can broaden, deepen, and sharpen his awareness of life and its problem (1978:
3). Relating to this, the readers are led to have reflections of their self. As literary
work, dramatic text is the means of representing experience in artistic forms,
which are delivered differently with the other works. In drama, the story’s events
must be represented not merely narrated as in poetry. Milly S. Barranger
emphasizes in Understanding Plays, “a play is often the most difficult type of
prose or poetry to read because it is written not only to be read, but also to be
performed by actors before audiences” (1994: 4).
In drama there are two main points that can be analyzed. They are intrinsic
element and extrinsic element. Intrinsic element consists of theme, tone,
characters, atmosphere, plot, setting, and symbols. In extrinsic element we have
socio-historical background of the author or the society to be analyzed. Those
elements can be the central subject under analysis of certain studies.
In literary theory, symbol defined as an object which refers to another
object but which demands attention also in its own right, as a presentation (Wellek
and Warner, 1956: 189). Concerning that a playwright has a freedom to express
his feelings, emotions, intentions, mind, ideas, dreams into certain works, there is
possibilities to find such theme or meanings as the scope of the author’s ideas or
mind in the story. And sometimes the author uses the symbols to reveal the theme
or moral messages behind the story. It is necessary to study the symbol because
the work contains many symbols. Besides, the understanding of the core of such
fictional world. Symbols that become the part of daily of life and this can be seen,
for example, from the traffic signs, the national flag from countries, and the other
examples of symbols in literature or in fictional world are religion and national
identity.
In a play symbols and characters are closely related because in some cases
character symbolizes perceptions of the author toward a condition or people at
that era. There are significant ideas put behind a character as a medium, and
symbols are needed to cover it as a unique unity. This unity makes a play more
interesting and meaningful. It also emerges critical ways of thinking which brings
about various perceptions toward what actually happened behind an action
undergone by a character in a single event happened in the play.
In fact, symbols are often used as a polite way to delivering ideas which
employs certain patterns to elaborate intended ideas. It can be an appropriate way
if the symbols are compatible to what it refers to. Some symbols are closely
related to the meaning they stand for or they are even completely stick on the real
meaning but in some cases some of them are difficult to interpret in logical
understanding because it hang up in the gray area. This case causes confusion and
deals with the abilities to compile the possibilities which spread along the context
of intended meaning.
In Sam Shepard's Buried Child, there can be found meaning and literary
conventions such as; symbolism, allusion, references to mythology and folklore.
The symbolism behind the story actually influences the plot. Through the symbols
the strongest symbols through one of the characters in Buried Child, which are
related to the quest of identity.
This study is meant to discuss the roles of symbols in order to find the
deeper meaning of Sam Shepard’s Buried Child. In order to analyze, some
theories such as theory of Symbolism, theory of character and characterization,
theory of formalism and theory of personality structure are employed.
B. Objective of Study
The objective of this study is to discuss the roles of symbols in describing
the real meaning of the play especially those expressed by Vince, the character of
Sam Shepard’s Buried Child through analysis toward hints appear in the play.
This study is aimed to deepen reader’s knowledge, mainly to uncover hidden
meanings and to unlock the message beyond the text.
C. Problems Formulation
Based on the description of the play and the background above, this study
would like to formulate the question s as follows:
1. How is Vince characterized in the play?
2. What are the most possible meanings of the symbols as expressed by Vince, the
D. Definition of Terms
To avoid misunderstanding about the content of this study, some literary
terms used in the study as follow:
1. Symbol
According to Frank Madden, a symbol is regarded as a substituted
for elements being signified (2002: 279).
2. Symbolism
According to Holman and Harmon (1986: 494), symbolism, “in its
broad sense, is the use of one object to represent or suggest another, or
literature, the use of symbols in writing,” as Myers and Simms (1989:
298) stated that “ symbolism is the use of symbols to express either
public or private values”. Therefore, symbolism is the use of objects to
represent or express another, either public or private values in writing.
3. Buried
As stated by Willingham that in common sense, buried is an
activity to put something underground or covering something with earth,
leaves, etc. But in this study, buried is a term that stands for the secrets
of the family in the Sam Shepard’s Buries Child.
4. Meaning
The definition of meaning in Merriam Webster’s Encyclopedia of
Literature is the messages or the ideas which are intended or expressed.
(1995: 775). In this study, meaning is a term to represent covert meaning
CHAPTER II
THEORETICAL REVIEW
This chapter consists of four parts, namely, Review of Related Studies,
Review of Related Theories, Criticism, and Context of the Study.
A. Review of Related Studies
. In the play, Shepard presents elements such characters and stories that are
exciting because he covers them in symbolism. He views events and actions in the
play that actually tries to convey his intention toward reality through symbolism
and allegory. Lippman states:” Shepard’s vision of reality which happened in
America is sharply projected in the symbolism and allegory reveal in Buried
Child” (1984: 11). Shepard tries to convey or tell the readers his intentions
through the workings of symbolism in the play. He shows what is happening to
the reality of American life in his society. It seems that he frames the play in the
view of symbolism so that the play itself has it own characteristics as represented
in Buried child.
However, there must be any goal or purpose for the author in producing
literary works concerning that Buried Child as the tool of criticism. As Esslin said
in the book The Field of Drama: ‘How the signs of drama create meaning on stage
and screen that in play analysis we concentrate on “how a play means” through
the workings of plot, action, character, dialogue, and so on’ (1987: 57). Meaning
to say that there is any meaning behind the story, or values that the author wants
to convey. So that in Buried Child, Shepard has intention in writing the play,
therefore this thesis tries to interpret or understand and give analysis to the story
through the symbolism as experience and values in real world.
B. Review of Related Theories 1. Theory of Symbolism
Shepard’s Buried Child contains many symbols, which are actually
encouraging the reader to understand further about the hidden meanings, which
viewed by the author through it. But to determine whether something in a story is
symbolic or not, we must decide if it consistently refers beyond itself to a
significant idea, value, or quality. What is important; however, is that the symbol
pints beyond itself to greater and more complex meaning. As Roberts said in his
book Fiction: An Introduction to Reading and Writing, a symbol pulls or draws
together (1) a specific thing with (2) ideas, values, person, or ways of life, in
direct relationship that otherwise would not be apparent (1986: 326). Frank
Madden also states in his book Exploring Fiction, Writing and Thinking about
Fiction that in short stories and other types of literature, a symbol is usually a
person, thing, place, action, situation, or even thought (2002: 280). Perrine in his
book Sound and Senses: An Introduction to Poetry adds that symbol is something
that means more than what it is. It is an object, a person, a situation, an action or
some other item that has a literal meaning in the story but suggest or represent
other meaning as well (1969: 213). From those explanations, it can be understood
symbol itself has its own scope of meaning in a certain story, but not outside it.
Symbol possesses its own reality and meaning and may function as the normal
level of reality within a story. When a symbol is introduced, it signifies a specific
combination of attitudes, a sustained constancy of meaning, and the potential for
wide–ranging application. A symbol as a constant against a background of
variables is the same as a theme without variations. It embodies ideas or emotions
that the author and the readers share in common as a result of their social and
cultural heritage.
Holman and Harmon state that symbol is a trope that combines a literal
and sensuous quality with an abstract or suggestive aspect (1968: 44). While
according to Guth, symbols are images that have a meaning beyond its literal role
in the narrative. Meanwhile Abrams defines symbol as a word or phrase that
signifies an object or event, which in turn signifies something or a range of
reference, beyond itself (1985: 195).
There are various ways of identifying symbol. Kennedy in his book
Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama suggest several ways of
identifying symbols. In his opinion to look for symbols it is necessary to focus on
certain characters or actions because usually the author invents them based on
certain characters and their actions. The author lends them some special
significance in order to support the idea. Kennedy further adds that the readers
should be careful with words, phrases or sentences which are mentioned
repeatedly, because they might suggest symbols (1983: 147). While Rohrberger
and discovery of symbols because when an author wishes to mark an object or
detail with symbolic significance, then he will indicate either explicitly or
implicitly, his intended meaning or meanings. Symbols are not things invented by
an author to confuse the reader, not strange object with far-fetched meaning
arbitrarily attached to them, but they are, in literature as in life, a vital part of our
experience (1971: 136).
This theory however gives a frame to see the possible ways to view hidden
realities in the play. Through the theory, this study would like to uncover the ideas
behind the character’s attitudes, actions and behavior.
2. Theory of Character and Characterization
In this study, the theory of character and characterization is significant,
concerning that character can convey the ideas of author. Abrams in A Glossary
of Literary Terms states that the character is often endowed with moral,
disposition, and emotional qualities that are expressed through dialogue and action
(1985: 23). Based on Abrams’ definition about character it is obvious that through
the action and speech, readers can understand what kind of person the character is.
Roberts’ Fiction: An Introduction to Reading and Writing also defines character
as an extended verbal representation of human being, the inner self that
determines thought, speech and behavior (1986: 143).
From the definition above it can be said that characters in fiction have the
same way to express the feeling as well as human being. The characters may feel
life. It can be said that the characters function as representative of human beings
in true life. Therefore, it is possible for them to have quality or characteristics.
Characterization itself is defined by Rohrberger and Woods as the process
by which an author creates character, the device by which he makes us believe a
character is the particular type of person he is (1971: 20). Therefore, it is obvious
that the author of such literary work uses characters to describe people or human
beings as in reality. The strategy is used to emphasize that the characters’ action,
statements and thoughts must all be what human beings are likely to do, say, and
think under the conditions presented in the work (Roberts, 1986: 148).
Meanwhile, according to Gill characterization is the way in which a character is
created (1995: 135). Therefore, character is the result and characterization is the
process.
There are usually four strategies or methods to make judgments about the
qualities of characters (Barnet et all, 1988: 712). Those methods give the details of
the characters, which are needed in this study.
The first strategy is dealing with the characters’ say. The characters’
speech or dialogue in the story shows their thought and feeling. The readers can
know the development of the story or the change of the characters’ life during the
story. Moreover, the speech can be a way to show characters’ attitude or
connections with one another, and also the motivation of the characters in the
story.
The second is the characters’ action or what they do in the story. The
The readers are possible to interpret action as the signs of character. Moreover,
through the characters’ behavior the identifying of the characters can be done
easily.
The third is the other characters’ say about a certain character. In daily
life, it is very common to see or hear people are talking about other people neither
the goodness nor the evil. In stories, that situation is also can be encountered as in
reality. What the characters say may give more information and can be a clue to
determine another one.
The last one is the author’s direct description about the characters. The
author may speak about the characters as storyteller or observer who gives
description directly.
3. Theory of Formalism
In literary studies, formalism sometimes refers to inquiry into the form
(rather than the content) of works of literature, but usually refers broadly to
approaches to interpreting or evaluating literary works that focus on features of
the text itself (especially properties of its language) rather than on the contexts of
its creation (biographical, historical or intellectual) or the contexts of its reception.
The term groups together a number of different approaches to literature,
many of which seriously diverge from one another. Formalism, in this broad
sense, was the dominant mode of academic literary study in the US at least from
the end of the Second World War through the 1970s, especially as embodied in
The theory is used as a means to analyze the intended meanings through
some features written by the playwright in the play. It takes less consideration of
time and historical background of the play.
4. Theory of Personality Structure
There is personality structure that Freud creates to show one’s character.
According to Freud, the personality is made up of three major systems, the id, the
ego, and the superego. Three of them interact so closely with one another that it is
difficult if not impossible to disentangle their effects and weigh their relative
contribution to man’s behavior. Behavior is nearly always the product of an
interaction among these three systems (Lindzey, et al, 1957: 32).
Kasschau states that Id is the lustful or drive-ridden part of the
unconscious, and it operates in term of the pleasure principle, seeking immediate
gratification of desires, regardless of the consequences (1995: 272). It means that
Id wants to obtain pleasure immediately during the times, and it also wants to
avoid pain.
Kasschau states that superego is actually moral part of the personality-the
source of conscience and of high ideals-which operates in terms of a moral
principle. The superego then is also the source of guilt feelings, which come from
mild as well as serious deviations from what it defines “right” (1995: 272). The
superego can create conflict and problem. It is sometimes overly harsh, and crude.
a list of things someone should do to feel proud of. By violating both, the list that
should do and should not do can result in feeling of guilt.
Kasschau states that ego is the thoughtful personality process that operates
in terms of the reality principle (1995: 272). Part of the ego is conscious and it
corresponds to the self; ego obeys the reason and learns from experience.
C. Criticism
Buried Child is a winner of the 1979 Pulitzer Prize, written in 1970s.
https://www.dramatists.com/cgi-bin/db/single.1351. Buried Child is part of
Shepard's "family trilogy" comprising Curse of the Starving Class and True West.
It is recognized as the fertile product of a playwright at the height of his
imaginative powers and the landscape he evokes, both physical and psychological,
is paradoxically intimate and expansive - a world colored by fear, obsession and
prejudice, corrupted by complicity and lies and challenged by half-crazy states of
the mind. Shepard draws his themes of family history, the quest for identity,
betrayal and loss from the mythology of the American West. Primitive urges and
deep desires are a controlling force and the use of symbolism, dream-like use of
time and space, and ritual, especially which of burial and excavation, ascent and
descent, heighten the drama. Buried Child, like most of Shepard's plays, is
suffused with symbolism, which he uses to communicate deeper, though
sometimes ambiguous, levels of meaning to his audiences
D. Context of the Study
Buried Child is written in 1970s which is a decade of disillusion, cynicism,
bitterness, and anger by examining it in the context of the post-war of the Vietnam
War and Watergate and the Cold War. All of them damage Americans' faith in
their government and their leaders. American society in the 1970s is also suffering
economic stagnation and recession; increasing poverty, decline in their standards
of living. It creates confusion, frustration, and feelings that America has lost its
future that cause various economic-socio-cultural issues such as; increasing
divorce rates, pre-marital sex, fewer women having children, couples living
together out side of marriage, recognition of homosexual lifestyle, rise in
female-headed households, rise in drug use, rising crime rates, energy crisis, growing
concern about an environmental crisis, declining standard of living, increasing
number of women working, more equality for women and Blacks, increasing use
of sex to sell products, and declining moral values in Christian.
Those conditions create a certain atmosphere at the literature at that time
and they bring about influences toward literary works in their advances. It is a
depressive condition but it never discourages the playwrights. They use the reality
of the society at that time as a unique foundation to make great literary works.
This phenomenon affects Shepard to elaborate and transform the condition into a
play namely Buried Child. What actually described in the Buried Child is the real
feeling which stresses the society at that time. These facts are inspiring the author
in presenting the play as a description of life at that time in his own way. The
Shepard’s style in creating this play is different from others because he hides the
real meanings most beyond the visible image and characterization through
symbolism so that the readers free to expand their imagination and give the
opinion on what is actually happened in that era. It works and the play has become
an interesting issue in the literature.
E. Theoretical Framework
There are four theories used in this study, those are theory of symbolism,
theory of character and characterization, theory of formalism, and theory of
personality structure.
Theory of symbolism is used to see the possible ways to view the hidden
meaning in the play. This theory helps this study to uncover the ideas behind the
character.
Theory of character and characterization is used to identify the
characteristics of Vince. Here, the writer can explore the character’s nature in his
life from the content of the story. Finding the characteristics is helpful to
understand the possible meaning of symbol as expressed by the character.
Theory of formalism is used to analyze the intended meaning through
intrinsic features written by the author of the play.
Theory of personality structure is used to recognize the changes
CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY
This chapter consists of three parts, namely, Object of the Study,
Approach of the Study, and Method of Study.
A. Object of the Study
This thesis is concerned on Sam Shepard’s Buried Child, which is written
in 1978. To analyze the play, this study uses the edition compiled by Milly S.
Barranger and published in 1994. Buried Child is a winner of the 1979 Pulitzer
Prize, written in 1970s https://www.dramatists.com/cgi-bin/db/single.1351. After
Shepard rewrote Buried Child in 1995, it is approved at the Steppenwolf Theatre
in Chicago. Then it is revised for the 1996 Broadway production. Buried Child,
like most of Shepard's plays, is suffused with symbolism, which he uses to
communicate deeper, though sometimes ambiguous, levels of meaning to his
audiences <http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/09/26/1032734277401.html>.
The object of study in this thesis is symbolism reflected through one of the
characters that found in Sam Shepard’s Buried Child. The writer will use theory
of symbolism, character, and characterization, and theory of formalism to explore
the play. Those theories are needed to analyze the characters closely and find the
values of symbolism.
The play itself is about an American Midwestern family with a dark,
terrible secret: Tilden, the eldest of three sons belonging to Dodge and Halie,
commits an act of incest with his mother. She bore his child, a baby boy, which
Dodge drowns and bury in the field behind their farmhouse. The act destroys the
family. Dodge stops planting crops in his fields and took to smoking, drinking,
and watching television from a lumpy old sofa. Halie, apparently seeking
salvation, turns to religion with eagerness. She becomes a member of Christian
church with guidance of the hypocritical Father Dewis. Tilden becomes insane
with guilt and grief, spends time in jail in New Mexico, and has only recently
returns to the farmstead, perhaps to set everything right. The secret is drawn out
into the light of day, and the family curse apparently lifts, with the arrival of
Vince, Tilden's estranged son, and his girlfriend, Shelly.
B. Approach of the Study
The study uses formalistic approach to analyze the play. This approach
helps interpret or evaluate literary works that focused on features of the text itself
(especially properties of its language) rather than on the contexts of its creation
(biographical, historical or intellectual) or the contexts of its reception. Besides,
this approach looks for relationships of system (related metaphor, symbols, myths,
images and allusion). According to Kennedy and Gioia, formalist approach might
as well be called as unique form of human knowledge that needs to be examined
on its own term, to a formalist, a poem or story is not primarily a social, historical
or biographical document; it is a literary works that can be used to understand
only by reference to its intrinsic literary features, those element that is found in the
character therefore, the formalist approach is used. Moreover, it pays more
attention on the symbol in the literary works. However, the recognition of symbol
deals with the observation of words. Therefore, the Formalist approach is
considered as the proper one to finds the values of symbolism and analyzes the
meaning of the play.
C. Method of the Study
This thesis uses a library research as the method of the study. The primary
source is Sam Shepard’s Buried Child. The secondary sources are books, which
provide the theories that are needed in analyzing the play such as René Wellek
and Austin Warren's Theory of Literature, Robert’s Fictions and Esslin’s The
Field of Drama.
In conducting this study there steps to be done. The first was by reading
the whole story again and again in order to gain well understanding of the content
of the story. This study used one of the intrinsic elements to develop the analysis
further.
The second step was by finding some theories or any sources that support
the analysis. The source contains the supporting issues were collected and those
become references to limit and develop analysis of this study.
The third step was stimulating the problems, which were going to lead the
study to find the symbol as the focus of the study.
The forth step was identifying the element of the play to be discussed. The
study chose this approach as the appropriate one since the study concerned about
intrinsic elements of the play.
The fifth step was analyzing the data gained from the library research by
applying the theories on the analysis.
The sixth step was drawing a conclusion based on analysis. The
conclusion would be a kind of review of the previous chapters, in which the writer
tried to clarify the elements, that was symbol.
The seventh step was writing the report in such way so that it would be
CHAPTER IV ANALYSIS
This chapter is divided into two parts. The first part discusses how Vince’s
character is described in the play. The second part discusses the most possible
meanings of the symbols as expressed by Vince, the character of Buried Child.
A. The Characterization of Vince
The analysis of Vince is based on the theory of Character and
Characterization that has been mentioned in Chapter II. To understand the
characteristics of Vince, this study applies the methods which consist of the
description of the author, the character’s speeches, the character’s actions, and
the other characters’ say about the character. Therefore, the analysis of Vince
character is based on the direct description given by the author, Shepard, Vince’s
speeches, Vince’s actions, and the other characters’ statement about Vince.
Shepard describes Vince as Tilden’s son whose age is about twenty two
years old (in Barranger, 1994: 23).
Vince is a person who honors his family much. It can be seen through his
utterances toward his girlfriend, Shelly, who humiliates and underestimates his
family. He defends his family as the way they are as seen in Vince’s sentence
toward Shelly.
VINCE. Come on! It’s my heritage. What dya’ expect?
SHELLY. “And Tuffyand Toto and Dooda and Bonzo all went down one day to the corner grocery store to buy a big bag of licorice for Mr. Marshall’s pussy cat!”
VINCE. Shelly will you get up!
SHELLY. “Mr. Marshall was on vacation. He had no idea that the four little boys had taken such a liking to his little kitty cat.”
VINCE. Have you some respect would ya’! (in Barranger, 1994: 23). VINCE. (to Shelly) Why are you doing this! Are you trying to make fun of
me? This is my family you know! (in Barranger, 1994: 29).
The dialogue above implies Vince’s defense toward his family when his
girlfriend, Shelly humiliates his family by making jokes. Shelly makes joke and
seems to have no respect toward Vince’s family. She considers the family as a
trivial issue and it is really not important for her. There is no appreciation toward
the family which is only because the condition of the house. Shelly merely
perceives a family based on certain criteria. It is all about materialism and it is not
about the deeper meaning of it. For Vince, a family means everything. It is more
than materialism. These facts create a clash between Vince and Shelly. They have
a contradictive point of view about the meaning of a family. Vince is angry with
her and tries to make her realize that the family is everything. He emphasizes that
the family is the place where he grown up as a man. It is also the place where he
learned the values of love and caring. Although there are many changes happened
in the family, it still becomes a meaningful place for him. He respects the other
family’s members although they don’t do so. So, he will defend his family no
matter what the others say. Shelly’s humiliation becomes his enemy since it
insults the whole of his pride.
As a member of the family, Vince is also a caring person who gives his
attention toward the other family members as described in his utterances toward
DODGE. You forgot to get me a bottle! That’s what you forgot. Anybody
in this house could get me a bottle. Anybody! But nobody will. Nobody understands the urgency! Peelin’ carrots is more important. Playin’ piano on your teeth! Well I hope you all remember this when you get up in years. When you find yourself immobilized. Dependent on the whims of others.
VINCE. I’ll get you a bottle. DODGE. You will?
VINCE. Sure (in Barranger, 1994: 30).
VINCE. Grandpa why don’t you wanna lay down for a while? DODGE. I don’t wanna lay down for a while! Every time I lay down
something happens! That’s what happens! You go lie down and see what happens to you! See how you like it! They’ll steal your
bottle! They’ll cut your hair! They’ll murder your children! That’s what’ll happen (in Barranger, 1994: 30).
From the dialogues above it can be seen that Vince definitely cares about his
grandfather, Dodge does not get much attention from other family members.
Vince is a sensible person who understands Dodge’s needs at the first time Dodge
says it. While the others seem to ignore him, Vince patiently serves him. Vince
comes as a person who cares about Dodge more than other members of the family.
He comes as a helper who assists Dodge while the others seem to abandon Dodge.
Although Dodge gives less respect toward him, he keeps on his sincerely way and
he never complaints on what Dodge has done and said toward him because he
realizes the fact that a family without cares and attention is nothing. So, each
member of a family should give cares and attentions toward the other members
however their condition is. Vince’s nature of caring shows that he is the real
member of the family who should give attention toward other while the others
seem to ignore him.
Vince is an obedient person who is willing to do what the elder
considers the elder as the person they must respect. It can be seen from his
sentences below.
DODGE. Then where are you going? VINCE. Liquor store.
DODGE. Don’t go anyplace else. Don’t go off some place and drink. Come right back here.
VINCE. I will.
DODGE. You’ve got responsibility now! And don’t go out the back way either! Come out through this way! I wanna’ see you when you leave! Don’t go out the back!
VINCE. I won’t! (in Barranger, 1994: 31).
The dialogues above imply the good attitude of Vince. As a son and grandson in
the family, he tends to carry on the habit to obey what the elder said because he is
the youngest person in the family. He tries to obey what Dodge said. He obeys
Dodge’s command as a younger person obeys the elder. He is willing to serve
Dodge without any objections. Even though Dodge never respects him, he never
complains on what Dodge has commanded. His nature becomes an aid to calm the
situation down and hushes others emotion. Because Vince knows exactly the
condition of Dodge, he has to think twice to ignore Dodge’s command. This
nature is actually a way to smoothen the way of Vince’s next plans to continue the
familial root.
Another personality of Vince is positive thinking. It can be seen from his
tendency to consider that everything will be all right as seen in his utterances
toward Shelly.
SHELLY. There is. VINCE. There is not!
SHELLY. Something’s wrong definitely wrong with me. VINCE. There is not!
SHELLY. There’s something wrong with you too.
Vince’s utterances above imply his positive perspective toward himself and
others. His deed tends to show the positive point of view among mistakes. What
actually appears in his mind is actually a state to seek for the truth behind the
chaos. This sense helps him to filter the events and find out what was wrong so
that he may not easily get trapped in problems. It is important for him because he
already faced problems since the first time he entered the house. Vince’s positive
perspective is a vital device in his quest for identity.
At the other side, Vince is also an authoritarian who shows his power over
others. He never wants to hear what the others suggest and keeps on what he
wanted to do, as illustrated in Vince’s utterances below.
VINCE. … This is my house now, ya know? All mine. Everything. Except for the power tools and stuff. I’m gonna get all new equipment anyway. New plows, new tractor, everything. All brand new. DEWIS. You’d better go up and see your Grandmother.
VINCE. My Grandmother? There is nobody else in this house. Except for you. And you’re leaving aren’t you?
DEWIS. She’s going t need someone. I can’t help her. I don’t know what to do. I don’t know what my position is. Just came in for tea. I had no idea there was any trouble. No idea at all
(in Barranger, 1994: 49).
Vince’s utterances above show his position as the only point of authority in the
family. Vince displays his strong principle which refuses to be controlled by the
other, but he must take the role as the controller. Hence, he acts as the one who
has the most power to show that he is the only one who deserves the whole of the
house and has the right to control it. Vince situates the others as the minority who
such kind of familial unity because he never gives the others opportunities to give
their opinion.
Actually Vince is a young man who has a high motivation in his life. In
other words, he is a high motivated person who always works hard to reach his
dreams. His strong desire to be admitted as a member of the family becomes a
catalyst which supports him to survive in the middle of refusal. Vince always tries
as hard as he can to convince his grandfather, Dodge that he is his legitimate
grandson as shown in the following quotation.
VINCE. Grandpa, it’s Vince. I’m Vince. Tilden’s son. You remember? VINCE. Grandpa, I haven’t been here until just now. I just got here
(in Barranger, 1994: 25).
VINCE. ... Grandpa, look, I just got here. I just now got here. I haven’t been here for six years. I don’t know anything that’s happened (in Barranger, 1994: 25).
VINCE. I’m Vince! Your Grandson!
VINCE. Grandpa, look—(in Barranger, 1994: 26).
VINCE. Look. Look at this. Do you remember this? I used to bend my thumb behind my knuckles. You remember? I used to do it at the dinner table.
VINCE. What about this?
VINCE. You remember this Dad?
VINCE. I know! Here’s one you’ll remember. You used to kick me out of the house for this one.
VINCE. “Hello. How are you? I’m fine. Thank you very much. It’s so good to see you looking well this fine Sunday morning. I was going down to the hardware store to fetch a pail of water ! (in Barranger, 1994: 29-30).
From the quotations above, it is clearly seen that Vince’s arrival is not welcomed
by his own family. The dialogues are certainly can be the evidence of Vince as a
firm person who refuses to avoid such circumstances. The real situation of his
family is actually out of his expectation. He must face the reality that his
surprise for someone like Vince who expects to find his relatives. Moreover, his
girlfriend, Shelly seems to discourage him in such a kind of situation. It becomes
harder and harder for Vince to survive. But his effort and strong desire motivate
him to stick on his aim, being admitted as the member of the family. He keeps on
struggling to defeat the refusal of the family. His strength brings about a change
of the condition in the family because one by one the secrets are uncovered.
Besides, Vince is also a kind person. He tries to understand others instead
of judging them because he can feel the problems which make them separated. He
recognizes the changes that happened toward someone’s personality or behaviors
and tries to help them back. It can be seen from his sentences “He’s lost his mind
or something! I’ve got to help him” (in Barranger, 1994: 27). This utterance
shows his good attitude. He insists that Dodge was not such kind of person. He
believes that there is a reason behind Dodge’s changes. He prefers to find the
wrong things instead of judging him. However, to be a good person is not easy.
He must face some difficult choices to be decided. However, he must choose
whether to keep Shelly or to keep his family. It is difficult for him, but he keeps
on his noble aim to help Dodge although he never finds good response from
Dodge.
In the other side, Vince is also a normal human being who has emotions.
But sometimes it seems to be explosive and he is easily getting angry when
dealing with certain condition as depicted in his utterances below.
VINCE. Shelly put the carrots down will ya’? We gotta deal with the situation here! I’m gonna need your help.
VINCE. You’re only adding to the problem! You’re making things worse! Put the carrots down! (in Barranger, 1994: 29).
Vince’s speech implies a resurrection of his anger. In other word, Vince can be
said as an irascible man. This state of anger emerges from the condition in which
he trapped. After facing Dodge’s denial, he thinks none can help him including his
girlfriend, Shelly. But Vince is disappointed because Shelly is only busy with her
own business and neglects him. The fact, Shelly, who is supposed to help Vince
in his problem cannot help him much. Vince’s hopes disappear instantly because
none assists him to survive in such situation so that he looses his patience and
getting angry easily. And this issue becomes bigger and bigger when he has to
deal with a stressful condition because in this kind of condition he cannot think
clearly and of course his anger bursts easily.
Greediness is a part which cannot be separated in human being’s nature.
This nature is closely related to every facet in human’s life, so is Vince. It is
depicted through his utterances below.
VINCE. Oh, excuse me Father. Just getting rid of some of the vermin in the house. This is my house now, ya’ know? All mine. Everything. Except for the power tools and stuff. I’m gonna get all new
equipment anyway. New plows, new tractor, everything. All brand new (in Barranger, 1994: 48).
It is clearly seen from Vince’s utterances above that he does not want anyone in
the house takes it over. It seems that he is the only one who deserves the house. It
is emphasized when he declares “This is my house, all mine, everything”. His
utterance functions as a means to show his achievement and none can take it from
reality and now this is the time to protect it. So, he never allows the other
members of the family tinker with his properties.
Arrogance affects everyone who already has riches, power and authority.
It is also becomes one of Vince’s personalities. Vince becomes an arrogant person
since he accepts the heritage from his grandfather (in Barranger, 1994: 49).
In short, Vince, one of the characters in the play has characteristics as an
obedient person, positive thinking person, someone who honors the family much,
kind person, high motivated person, an authoritarian, irascible man-someone who
can get angry very easily, a greedy person and an arrogant person. This
compilation of characteristics will lead into a deeper understanding of intended
meaning. Indirectly, it displays some hints which further become significant clues
in showing what Vince’s role in Buried Child.
B. The Most Possible Meanings of Symbols as Expressed by Vince
The discussion in the previous part clarifies the symbols from Vince’s
utterances or actions. By using the theories of Symbolism and Formalist approach,
there will be a deeper analysis in this part which is trying to find the intended
meaning of symbol found in the play trough the character Vince. In previous part,
there has been mentioned some characteristics of Vince. Those characteristics
enable this study to discover any meanings that are hidden by the author or which
are not revealed directly and explicitly. However, by identifying the qualities or
the story. Therefore, understanding the characteristics of Vince will help this
study to understand the symbols delivered by Vince.
This part of analysis focuses on the most possible meaning of symbols
conveyed by Vince in which his utterances, actions, his characteristics and other
characters’ speech to him become the core under analysis of this study. As stated
in Chapter II, a symbol is usually a person, thing, place, action, situation, and
thought (Madden, 2002: 280). This quotation gives idea that everything can be a
symbol, even an abstract thing such as thought is also possible to be a symbol.
Sam Shepard, the author of Buried Child creates Vince with certain
characteristics. Vince’s characteristics, Vince’s utterances, Vince’s actions and
other characters’ speech are symbols which contain some significant intended
meanings. Once again, this part of discussion will explore the symbols in the play
which is brought by Vince. To be exact, the focus of this part can be the place
where the character belongs, situations that the character has created, the action or
the statement of the character himself, or the thought of the character, and also the
character himself as the symbol of something. In order to find the symbols, there
are four categories being used, namely, Vince’s characteristics, Vince’s
utterances, Vince’s actions and other characters’ speech.
1. The Meaning of Symbol through Vince’s Characteristics
In the first part, it has been mentioned that the characteristics of Vince is
positive thinking and high-motivated. It can be clarified that these two
one of the family members. Since his arrival in the house, he has convinced
himself that everything happens is still under control and can be solved. He works
hard to emphasize everyone in the house to accept him as a legitimate son of
Tilden. In his opinion this is a truth and he thinks the family must admit that he is
a part of it. He stumbles and faces a bitter reality when his grandfather, Dodge
denies him. The denial becomes a great disappointment for Vince. There are
always possibilities to discourage him, but his positive way of thinking brings
about a change in his perspective. He never assumes it as an end but it just a
beginning. His high motivation supports him in such kind of condition so that he
can survive and continue his effort to find the reality of his existence. In other
words, Vince’s positive way of thinking turns out to be a tough foundation of his
high motivation so that he never gives up trying to convince the family.
2. The Meaning of Symbol through Vince’s Utterances
From Vince utterances, it can be found several intended meanings. The
first analysis is related to Vince utterances below.
VINCE. Grandpa?
VINCE. Grandpa, it’s Vince. I’m Vince. Tilden’s son. You remember? VINCE. Grandpa, I haven’t been here until just now. I just got here (in
Barranger, 1994: 25).
VINCE. Just a second. Grandpa, look, I just got here. I just now got here. I haven’t been here for six years. I don’t know anything that’s happened (in Barranger, 1994: 25).
VINCE. I’m Vince! Your Grandson!
VINCE. Tilden’s son. (in Barranger, 1994: 26). VINCE. Grandpa, look—(in Barranger, 1994: 26).
VINCE. Look. Look at this. Do you remember this? I used to bend my thumb behind my knuckles. You remember? I used to do it at the dinner table.
VINCE. You remember this Dad?
VINCE. I know! Here’s one you’ll remember. You used to kick me out of the house for this one.
VINCE. “Hello. How are you? I’m fine. Thank you very much. It’s so good to see you looking well this fine Sunday morning. I was going down to the hardware store to fetch a pail of water ! (in Barranger, 1994: 29-30).
VINCE. I just gotta think or something. I don’t know. I gotta put this all together.
VINCE. No! I gotta find out what’s going on! (in Barranger, 1994: 31).
From those utterances it can be clarified that he shows more desire to embrace his
ancestry. He comes to the house and tries to convince the whole of the family that
he is also one of the family members. Vince actively seeks out generational
connectivity. In fact, his efforts to convince Dodge build a kind of resistance in
Vince’s mind to be used as a shield to confront Dodge’s denials. He goes forward
to conquer the blockade of refusal. This fact is actually a realization of a symbol
which is reflected through Vince’s utterances. Once again, Vince’s utterances
above show his effort and desire to embrace the family. He again and again seeks
for the confession of the family.
Basically, normal human beings have various emotion in facing certain
cases or problems. However, patience is needed to run the life because sometimes,
it becomes the key to confront such situation. But, nobody is perfect so that there
are always limits on someone’s patience in facing his problem. Although it sounds
cliché but it is the fact. And this phenomenon is experienced by Vince. As
mentioned in the first part that Vince is kind of high motivated person. He has
desire and effort to attain his purpose. In fact, after his arrival in his family’s
house, he must confront a situation in which him self as Vince is unrecognized by
grandfather that he is Vince, the grandson, Dodge keeps on his denial. Vince
shows himself as normal human beings, when in certain point of time his patience
goes on its limit and of course his anger will start to explode. Here, Vince is being
at the edge of his patience, and it seems that he starts to stop convincing his
grandfather and going outside because he does not know what else he can do to
convince him. He already stuck and never finds the way out. The dead end is in
front of him and he lacks of ideas so he utters his words below.
VINCE. You want anything Dad? TILDEN. Me?
VINCE. From the store? I’m gonna get Grandpa a bottle. TILDEN. He’s not supposed to drink. Halie wouldn’t like it. VINCE. He wants a bottle (in Barranger 1994: 31).
VINCE. I’ll be right back. DODGE. Where are you going? VINCE. I’m going to get some money. DODGE. Then where are you going? VINCE. Liquor store.
DODGE. Don’t go anyplace else. Don’t go off some place and drink. Come right back here.
VINCE. I will.
DODGE. You’ve got responsibility now! And don’t go out the back way either! Come out through this way! I wanna’ see you when you leave! Don’t go out the back!
VINCE. I won’t! (in Barranger, 1994: 31).
Vince utterances above are only a kind of trick to get away from his inability to
confront the situation at his family. He loses control. He uses the trick which
covers his anger up in order to create a good image of him. He wants to show the
family that everything is all right. But actually, he never means to buy some
drinks for Dodge.
People often encounter various kinds of problem and the ways to face
has his own judgment on his problems relating to his family’s admission. Vince
himself attempts to articulate his new found attachment to family in a monologue.
In the previous paragraph it has been explained that Vince had disappeared the
night before. In the quotation bellow, he finally returns to give his words in front
of his family.
VINCE. I was gonna run last night. I was gonna run and keepright on running. I drove all night. Clear to the Iowa border. The old man’s two bugs sitting right on the seat beside be. It never stopped raining the whole time. Never stopped once. I could see my self in the windshield. My face. My eyes. I studied my face. I studied everything about it. As though I was looking at another man. As though I could see his whole race behind him. Like a mummy’s face. I saw him dead and alive at the same time. In the same breath. In the windshield, I watched him breathe as though he has frozen in time. And every breath marked him. Marked him forever without him knowing. And then his face changed. His face became his father’s face. Same bones. Same eyes. Same nose. Same breath. And his father’s face changed to his Grandfather’s face. And it went on like that. Changing. Clear on back to faces I’d never seen before but still recognized. Still recognized the bones underneath. The eyes. The breath. The mouth. I followed my family clear into the Iowa. Every last one. Straight into the Corn Belt and further. Straight back as far as they’d take me. Then it all dissolved. Everything dissolved (in Barranger, 1994: 48).
The quotation of Vince above gives implied meaning that he really wants the
acknowledgement from his family. Actually he realizes he could not escape from
his family’s history no matter how far he runs. It is approved in his unconscious
contemplation. His eagerness to posses the heritage can be seen from the
monologue that emphasizes he himself as a part of the family who cannot be
separated. Vince’s utterances above is a counter point where Vince displays the
hidden issues he kept during the time. He cannot bear the issues and within his
At the first time Vince enters the house, he seems to have less attention
and care toward Shelly. He has abandoned Shelly and he also lets her alone to
defend herself against Dodge’s hostility. Sometimes he never cares about Shelly’s
complaints. In fact Shelly is his girlfriend who deserves love and care from Vince.
Shelly feds up with Vince nature and so does Vince. This fact makes them argue
and even quarrel until the time Vince faces the choice of leaving with Shelly or
staying as the head of the household, Vince tells Shelly.
SHELLY. You’re not coming? VINCE. I just inherited a house. SHELLY. You want to stay here.
VINCE. I’ve gotta carry on the line. I’ve gotta see to it that things keep rolling (in Barranger, 1994: 48).
From the quotation above it can be seen that Vince prefers to continue his familial
line rather than keeps his relationship with Shelly. He does not care about Shelly
anymore because he considers his rights and responsibilities to his family are
more important. So, he puts the family in the first priority and the others in the
next priority. It is his duty to return the condition of the family, because he knows
that the family is messed up. He does the duty without any objection because the
family means everything for him.
Vince also symbolizes a quest for identity. In this case he seeks for an
association with his past. Although he seems to have no information of the buried
child, he still desires to find a connection to his familial past and search for a lost
heritage. This fact is shown in his arrival. Vince tries to link the information he
has to the reality in the family he faces and collect them to complete the lost
