Curse of the Starving Class
52 pages • 1-hour read
Sam ShepardCurse of the Starving Class
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Book Brief
72
Play • Fiction
•
American Literature•
Realistic FictionRural California • 1970s
•
World History1976
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Curse of the Starving Class by Sam Shepard portrays the Tate family, struggling with financial instability and personal ambitions, in a rural California desert. Weston, the father, is an alcoholic, while Ella, the mother, dreams of escaping to Europe. Their children, Wesley and Emma, grapple with their futures amidst increasing family tension and external threats from developers and criminals.
Gritty
Dark
Unnerving
Melancholic
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
1,003 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Curse of the Starving Class by Sam Shepard delves into the disintegration of an American family grappling with economic turmoil and psychological distress. Critics praise Shepard's sharp dialogue and dark humor, yet some find the play's chaotic structure and bleak themes challenging. It's a provocative exploration of familial and societal decay.
Who Should Read Curse of the Starving Class?
A reader who revels in darkly humorous, tragic family sagas akin to Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire or Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman will appreciate Curse of the Starving Class by Sam Shepard. This play delves into themes of disillusionment, the American Dream, and familial dysfunction with raw, gritty realism.
1,003 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Weston's wife, Ella, is erratic and unfaithful, often displaying contempt for her husband and children. She harbors fears of a family "curse" and dreams of escaping her current life.
The son of Weston and Ella, Wesley is a young man who takes on many responsibilities on the family farm. He attempts to act rationally and truthfully amidst his family's chaos and dysfunction.
Emma is the young daughter of Weston and Ella, who experiences significant changes throughout the narrative. She transitions from an innocent child to a more troubled and rebellious figure over a short period.
72
Play • Fiction
•
American Literature•
Realistic FictionRural California • 1970s
•
World History1976
Adult
18+ years
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