After reading buried child I was left with many questions about the significance of each character and what their job was in bringing out the theme of this play. I was even confused on what the major theme of the play was. I thought it was neat today in class how you mentioned that perhaps Sam Shepard purposely left some of these questions unanswered.

I would like to explore this play more through the eyes of a director or an actor. How have some directors in the past interpreted this play? How did the actors portray their characters in order to fit these interpretations?

Is it fair to say that Shepard wrote Buried Child based on events in his own life or is it a commentary on hardships that were experienced by many American families at the time?

What I want to know about Mr. Shepard is what was his life like growing up?
I want to know this to see if there is any relation at all to the family in the play "The buried Child"
 

Would there be any events which happened to Shepard during his life that would have given him the inspiration to write "Buried Child"?

 what is the significance of the vegetables? Or was Ansel actually the buried child?

I would like to find out about the importance of sports in America at the time, since this seemed to be a subject of pride to the family. I am not sure if this is actually relevant but it is something that interested me a lot. Another thing that I found interesting is Christianity. Halie talked a lot about being a Christian, and well of course this is something that is brought up to stress the contrast between religious beliefs and the principles of the family itself.

I'm really interested on Mr. Shepard's view on christianity. In the play father Dewis does not offer any help to the family and is drunk and possibly having an affair with Halie. What is the significance of his representation of the christian faith in the play?

I'm interested in the characters of this play, particularly Tilden, Vince, and Shelly, and what they may have represented in Shepard's time. Specifically, I would like to find out not only what they represented, but also how they relate to the themes of the play.

What I have been wondering, is whether or not Shepard has a recurring theme (or topic, subject matter...) that runs in most of his writing?; and if he does, what it is, and why he considers that element important to him and his work.

I would like to know how -- or if in fact -- the idea of the “fragment” in literature has been adapted to, and used to enhance, the uneasy feeling experienced by the readers/ viewers of Shepard’s play “Buried Child”.

I would love to have the answer to the question concerning Tilden's attachment to the child that Dodge drowned. Why is Tilden more attached to this child than anyone else? Is this why he had to leave?

The question that I would most like answered about Sam Shepherd's "Buried Child" is about Ansel. Was he exactly what Halie said he was, or was he a figment of her imagination? I feel like there is more of a reason for him being a part of the play than simply back story.

I think it would be interesting to read reviews about the play after its release in 1978. It's clear that Shepard gained instand fame with the success of The Buried Child, but what exacly did the critics say about the play? Were there any harsh or negative commentaries? If so what did they say? I'm not sure exacly where or even if I would be able to find newspaper clippings or articles on reviews of the play, but I think it would be something very interesting look into.

My question is, was there any metaphorical meaning or reasoning behind any of the character's names in the play "Buried Child"?

I'd like to know who the father of the buried child is.