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
6 PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
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
that symbols reveal a perception referring a real thing besides an abstract one. The 7
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