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.
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.
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?
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
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
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).
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).
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 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 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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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).
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).
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 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
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.
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.
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).
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.
thinks. He has to face the denial of his own family. And the most irritating fact is that his grandparents who become the opposition. The process to find the truth is often interrupted and finds the dead end.
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. 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? (in Barranger, 1994: 31).
Vince symbolizes family renewal. Before Vince’s arrival the condition of family seems gloomy and covered with unbreakable secrets. It is almost rotten since there is no good relationship among the member of the family. There is no warmth, no good communication and they never trust one another. Everybody looks suspicious in another’s point of view. All the things become vague and unclear so that the family forms an unusual atmosphere. This condition decreases the quality of the family that brings about partition between the members of it. Until the day of Vince’s arrival, the condition of the family gradually appears better. But actually Vince does not merely reach the success easily since he has to confront many painful issues which arise from the contact with the family. There are many ups and downs he has to go through. Through this process he steps to the level where he understands about the reality of family’s corruptions.
now has the power. And the most important point, he is the real member of the family who has to keep it survive.
From Vince’s quotation “I’ve gotta carry on the line. I’ve gotta see to it that things keep rolling” (in Barranger, 1994: 48), it can be seen that Vince demonstrates his willingness to embrace his past by expressing more desire to continue the familial line. Through this utterance, Vince comes to a new beginning where he stands as the leader of the family. He has the authority to control it and he deserves to show that the younger generation is now taking over the entire heritages. He also has the right to run his own rule. Vince makes the efforts to throw away the corruption of the past and then fix them for the sake of the family so that the family comes to a better condition. He already feds up with such kind of condition and now he tries to build a strong foundation of a solid family in order to defend it from the disasters. Vince commits this thing to give a preventive step toward unpredictable issues which may come and attack the unity of the family.
anyway. In this case, Vince just wants an admission from a group of people who are considered as his family. He knows nothing about the problems which turn them into that condition. The only thing Vince has known is that all of them deny him. Actually, his aims to find out the information about his existence become the only base that encourages him to come to the family. He never intends to seek another thing. But, he did not realize that he is already trapped in the middle of the family’s secret. The family looks different because of an event which makes them separated and never trusts each other and it is all about the buried child. And Vince is the one who becomes a victim of it. Once again, Vince comes purely as a person who does not know anything about the buried child but he has to deal with the consequences of it. Vince is indirectly troubled with the family because of the buried child. He is exactly an innocent person who is trapped in the problem. The innocence of Vince is clearly described in his utterances below.
VINCE. I’m trying to figure out what’s going on here! (in Barranger, 1994: 26).
VINCE. He’s just sick or something. I don’t know what happened to him. VINCE. He’s lost his mind or something! I’ve got to try to help him
(in Barranger, 1994: 27).
for what Vince does not do. It is not fair for Vince but he has to survive in such kind of situation.
3. The Meaning of Symbol through Vince’s Actions
Through Vince’s actions the writer found several symbols which can be interpreted as Vince’s effort to escape from reality-being rejected by his own family. He decides to go away from the house. He pretends that he is willing to buy some bottles for Dodge, but here his disappearing is actually a camouflage to cover up his disappointment and despair toward his family refusal (in Barranger, 1994: 31). He goes at the night in order to escape from his painful reality. In fact, it is the most depressive truth he ever experienced and he is unable to be compatible with it so that he makes a final decision to get away from the reality and starts to run away into his own world as a result of the vagueness of his destiny. This action is the only way he can take because he seems to be trapped in the obstacles and of course there is no way out. Vince experiences a great confusion which takes him away from a logical way of thinking so that he rigidly decides to escape from the reality.
outside but actually it is just a mask to cover something uncontrolled inside him, something that can appear anytime even without a single symptom and of course it can very dangerous. This issue can be seen when he decides to go outside and get drunk.
Vince also acts as if he wants to anticipate the corruptions in the family by asking Dewis to leave the house (in Barranger, 1994: 49). Vince experiences irritating phases when he comes to the family. This phase helps him to be aware of the problems which probably come in advance. He learns and analyzes the experiences he has. He does not want to meet any traumas. It results something that he can use to avoid worse or even unpredictable problems. It is important for him to be a tough person who leads the family to pass the crisis so that the familial line will be continually carried on. His action toward Dewis by asking him to leave the house symbolizes his enthusiasm and anticipation to secure his ideal family.
4. The Meaning of Symbol through Other Characters’ Speech
admits Vince and bequeaths the house for him. It can be said that Vince’s effort in regaining his identity has been completed.
In the moment of his unconsciousness, Vince actually faces the truth. One by one the truth comes to the surface which can be seen from the family admission. Vince’s grandfather, Dodge, who denies Vince at the first time he comes to the family, finally confesses that Vince is a part of the family which can be seen from his utterance below.
VINCE. What? Who is that?
DODGE. It’s me! Your Grandfather! Don’t play stupid with me! Where’s my two bugs! (in Barranger, 1994: 46).
Vince’s grandmother, Halie who ignores Vince at the first time he arrives at the house does so. She finally admits his grandson, Vince, as a legitimate family member as viewed in her utterance below.
HALIE. Vincent? Is that you, Vincent?
VINCE. Vincent who? What is this! Who are you people? SHELLY. Hey, wait a minute. Wait a minute! What’s going on? HALIE. We thought you were a murderer or something. Barging in
through the door like that.
VINCE. I am a murderer! Don’t underestimate me for a minute! I’m the Midnight Strangler! I devour whole families in single gulp! SHELLY. You mean you know who he is?
HALIE. Of course I know who he is! That’s more than I can say for you (in Barranger, 1994: 46).
From the utterances above it can be seen the family finally admit Vince as a member of the family who cannot be separated. Vince is a part of them and they are unable to dispel him from the history of the family because he is a vital element who will keep the balance of the familial line.
escape and to embrace identity tear Vince’s character apart. At the first sight Vince was a good young man who is obedient, positive thinking, honors the family much, kind and also high motivated, but at the advance he becomes an authoritarian, drunker and irascible man-someone who can be angry very easily. These two different sides come from the condition in which Vince is pushed in to the corner of inability. In fact, Vince was a good boy in his childhood. It can be proven through Halie’s utterances bellow.
HALIE. I don’t understand it. I just don’t understand it. He was the sweetest little boy!
HALIE. There wasn’t a mean bone in his body. Everyone loved Vince. Everyone. He was the perfect baby.
DEWIS. He’ll be all right after a while. He’s just had a few too many that’s all.
HALIE. He used to sing in his sleep. He’d sing. In the middle of the night. The sweetest voice. Like an angel. I used to lie awake listening to it. I used to lie awake thinking it was all right if I dead. Because Vincent was an angel. A guardian angel. He’d watch over all of us (in Barranger, 1994: 47).
cannot bear the problems that come through. As a consequence, he transforms to be a man of the opposite.
Besides the symbols mentioned above, Vince can also be said as a symbol of the continuity from the preceding generation to the next generation. Familial line is formed by the unity of generations and of course there is a particular link which connects one generation to the other generations. The familial line constructs a compilation of specific traits of the family itself which has to be reserved in order to preserve the unity of the family.
family finds difficulties to communicate with him. In this moment his grandfather, Dodge, finally surrenders and gives the heritage to Vince which symbolizes a transfer of power from the previous generation to the next generation as described through his utterances bellow.
DODGE. Go ahead! Take over the house! Take over the whole goddamn house! You can have it! It’s yours. It’s been a pain in the neck ever since the very first mortgage. I’m gonna die any second now. Any second. You won’t even notice. So I’ll settle my affairs once and for all.
DODGE. The house goes to my Grandson, Vincent. All the furnishings, accoutrements and paraphernalia therein. Everything under this roof (in Barranger, 1994: 47).
From Dodge’s utterances above it can be seen that Dodge as a representative of older generation, transfers the power to Vince as the representative of the younger generation.
CHAPTER V
CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTIONS
As the conclusion of the whole discussion of the thesis, this chapter is divided in to three parts, namely, conclusion, suggestion and recommendation.
A. Conclusion
It can be drawn a conclusion for the answer to the first problem formulation of this study. Vince is someone who has a double personality. It seems very complex because the attitude and behaviors of Vince develop during the story. As depicted in the story, Vince’s behavior at the first time he arrives, gradually changes along with his meeting with the family. For Vince, the condition of the family in welcoming him especially his grandfather, Dodge is out of his expectation. The experiences of Dodge’s refusal toward him has awaken Vince’s another personality. The refusal of the family seems to shock Vince, because it is not what he expects to. The family’s refusal repeatedly toward Vince becomes a boomerang for Vince’s hopes. It is understood that Vince is an obedient person, positive thinking person, someone who honors the family much, kind person, high motivated person, an authoritarian, irascible man-someone who can be angry very easily, a greedy person and an arrogant person. However, understanding the characteristics of Vince is not only knowing about what kind of person he is, but also recognizing the intended meanings behind his characteristics.
The second problem is focused on the possible meanings of symbols as delivered by Vince during the story in the play. As mentioned in the previous paragraph, Vince’s characteristics are not only about his nature or quality but they also suggest some meanings. In this study, Vince is not only a character, but he is one of the symbols in the story which has some meanings. From Vince’s utterances, his actions and any situation he creates between himself and other people in his house, we can conclude that they can be interpreted as hidden meanings which are intentionally covered by the author. However, Vince is a symbolic meaning of many ideas found in the play. The way Vince utters or acts, Vince’s characteristics and other characters’ speech are particularly having several meanings. They are Vince’s strong desire in maintaining his identity as one of the family members, his desire to embrace his ancestry, an inability to confront the denial of the family, an inability to escape his heritage, a quest for identity, a family renewal, a symbol of innocent, the efforts to escape from family denial, the failure in his quest for identity, an anticipation toward the corruptions in the family, the fulfillment for his quest, a transformation of personality and a continuity from the preceding generation to the next generation.
B. Suggestions
1. Suggestion for Future Researchers
Sam Shepard’s Buried Child is a play which gives a description of a complexity of life. It presents a Grandson’s quest for personal identity and familial roots that experiences denial from his own family.
Because of the limited source, time and complexity of the study, the objective of the study cannot be completely fulfilled. The focus of this study is restricted only on the description Vince and the most possible meanings of symbols as expressed by Vince. However, there are still many possible and interesting issues that can be discovered in the play. The researchers can explore about Vince’s motivation or reasons seen from psychological approach. There is also possibility to investigate the life experiences of Vince as a reflection of the people at that era.
2. Suggestion for Teaching-Learning Activities Using Sam
Shepard’s Buried Child
toward values in their society. Concerning of this context, literature teaching-learning activities are worth to be applied in educational world.
Regarding to the reasons and benefits that literature can contribute, teachers are supposed to use literature as one of the means to teach English in the classroom. Therefore, Sam Shepard’s Buried Child as an out put of literary works, which is loaded with various values, can be proper source to teach reading.
a. Teaching Extensive Reading II to the Fifth Semester Students of English
Education Study Program
Reading is one of basic skills to master a language in language learning. It can be a means to sharpen someone’s sense of critical thinking. By reading, people gain information which is useful to deepen their knowledge. This fact helps the learners to find the appropriate meanings from the text which lead them into deeper understanding. A good teacher will always employ reading passages from different context with variety of language style and vocabularies in order to improve the student’s knowledge. In conducting a good reading activity, the procedure of teaching Reading using Buried Child is provided. The followings are the procedure.
- The teacher selects some parts of the play.
- The teacher provides some pre-reading questions. The aim of these questions is to generate the students’ interest for the passage.
- The teacher asks some students to read the passage aloud in order to correct the student’s miss pronunciation. The students make and discuss difficult
vocabularies they figure out.
- The teacher provides some comprehensive questions for the students to answer after they finish reading the passage.
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Esslin, Martin. The Field of Drama. London: Methuen, 1987.
Gill, Richard. Mastering English Literature. London: Macmillan Press Ltd, 1995. Holman, C.H and Harmon, W.A. A Handbook to Literature. New York:
Macmillan, 1986.
Husband, Richard Wellington. General Psychology. New York: Rinehart & Company, Inc, 1957.
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