Demonstrations of Fascism and Patriotism in Sam Shepard’s the God of Hell

Abstract EN

The God of Hell plays premiered in New York in 2004.

Sam Shepard's surrealist black comedy is a satire against republican fascism.

As a reflection of society, literature deals with social and political malaise.

This paper analyzes Shepard's The God of Hell drawing special attention to the concept of fascism as a political philosophy/movement used by political leaders to suppress the public.

Definitions of fascism and its practices will be employed to present a reading of the play, which questions the popular image of the United States as the land of free will and democracy.

The paper has reached three findings.

(1) Democratic regimes can turn into fascist regimes in response to national security issues.

(2) People's compliance can foster totalitarian regimes.

Therefore, Americans should defend their freedom, otherwise, they will lose their rights to privacy and liberty.

(3) Patriotism is not proved by owning a flag.