Traumatic Experience in Shepard’s States of Shock

Abstract

This present dissertation on States of Shock by Sam Shepard attempts to show the traumatic vision through the means of war wounded hero, Colonel, and his son, Stubbs, and exploring the mystery of the Father-Son gothic relationship that is especially significant. Both father and son i.e. Colonel and Stubbs are haunted by the terrible war memories which are reflected in the restaurants. Through the whole play, the characters are motivated by the shady, bitter and horrible past memories which not only block their attempt to forget it but also haunt their present sound livelihood. In fact, here in the play, physical and psychological sufferings of the characters are deteriorated due to the emasculated paralyzed and traumatic experience of the Persian Gulf War.