The Shoe-Horn Sonata

by

John Misto

Teachers and parents! Our Teacher Edition on The Shoe-Horn Sonata makes teaching easy.

The Shoe-Horn Sonata Characters

Bridie

One of the protagonists of the play, Bridie is a funny, tough Australian woman, and one of the subjects of a television documentary about Japanese prison camps during World War II. It has now been… read analysis of Bridie

Sheila

One of the protagonists of the play, Sheila is a prim and proper British woman, and one of the subjects of a television documentary about Japanese prison camps during World War II. As a young… read analysis of Sheila

Miss Dryburgh

One of Sheila and Bridie’s fellow detainees in the Japanese prison camps. Miss Dryburgh forms a choir with a group of women, enlisting Sheila as a singer and asking Bridie to mark the beat… read analysis of Miss Dryburgh

Lipstick Larry

One of the Japanese guards at the prison camp where Sheila and Bridie are held captive during World War II. The prisoners call this guard “Lipstick Larry” because he punches women in the face if… read analysis of Lipstick Larry

Captain Siki

A military captain at the prison camp where Sheila and Bridie are held captive during World War II. When the Australian Prime Minister sends word to the prisoners and tells them to “keep smiling,” Captain… read analysis of Captain Siki
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Sheila’s Mother

A proper and somewhat conceited woman who tells Sheila—her daughter—that it’s dishonorable to run “from a few Orientals,” despite the obvious fact that the Japanese are about to invade Malaysia. A deeply patriotic woman… read analysis of Sheila’s Mother
Minor Characters
Rick (“M. Voice”)
An Australian television interviewer who asks Bridie and Sheila questions as part of a documentary about the Japanese prison camps of World War II.
Ivy
One of Bridie and Sheila’s fellow detainees in the Japanese prison camps during World War II.