Geography of a Horse Dreamer: A Mystery in Two Acts: Analysis of Major Characters
"Geography of a Horse Dreamer: A Mystery in Two Acts" explores the intricate dynamics surrounding the central character, Cody, a clairvoyant who has the unique ability to predict horse race outcomes through his dreams. Set against a backdrop of kidnapping and exploitation, Cody grapples with the loss of his powers after being abducted from Wyoming to England by criminals seeking to profit from his talent. The narrative introduces a cast of characters, including Santee and Beaujo, who serve as Cody's captors, embodying the classic archetypes of the "bad" and "good" guard respectively. Additionally, Fingers, the chief gambler, presents himself as an artist thwarted in his ambitions, while the menacing Doctor exemplifies the archetypal cinematic villain. The play also features Cody's brothers, Jasper and Jason, who epitomize the rugged heroism of the Old West, arriving to rescue him in a climactic confrontation. This rich tapestry of characters not only drives the plot but also reflects themes of power, vulnerability, and the struggle for control over one's fate. The interplay between these figures highlights the complex relationships and moral ambiguities present within the narrative.
Geography of a Horse Dreamer: A Mystery in Two Acts: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Sam Shepard
First published: 1974
Genre: Play
Locale: England
Plot: Mythic
Time: The 1970's
Cody, a clairvoyant who, in his dreams, foresees the results of horse races before they occur. Kidnapped from Wyoming and taken to England by criminals who exploit his talent, he is, as the play begins, suffering from the loss of his powers, which he regains in the course of the action. Sensitive, misunderstood, and a conduit for energies beyond his control, Cody clearly is in the mold of the Romantic artist.
Santee and Beaujo, criminal underlings who are Cody's keepers. Outfitted like gangsters of the 1940's, Santee and Beaujo follow a pattern well established on stage and screen. Santee is the “bad” guard, harsh in his treatment of their prisoner and contemptuous of Cody's gift; Beaujo is the “good” guard, sympathetic and somewhat in awe of Cody.
Fingers, a gambler, Santee and Beaujo's chief. Tall, slender, and full of affectations, Fingers is an artist manque; he appears to be excessively eager to establish a rapport with Cody.
The Doctor, Fingers' lieutenant. The stage directions specify that he should resemble the cinematic villain Sydney Greenstreet; with his black bag, his unpredictable violence, and his chilling amorality, the doctor lives up to his prototype.
Jasper and Jason, Cody's brothers. Appearing only at the conclusion to rescue their brother, shotgunning his captors, these hulking figures in cowboy garb are borrowed from the mythology of the Old West.