Come Back, Little Sheba

by William Inge

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Doc Delaney

Doc Delaney, a chiropractor in a Midwestern city, is an outwardly gentle, courteous, and patient man in his early forties who internally battles significant frustration due to his unfulfilled life. About twenty years prior, he felt pressured to abandon medical school to marry Lola after she became pregnant. His marriage to a woman who he considers his social and intellectual inferior, coupled with the loss of their stillborn first child due to a botched delivery, leaves Doc profoundly disappointed. The loss of his medical career and the sterility of Lola have led him into alcoholism, where he becomes nearly homicidal when intoxicated. Over time, he squandered his inherited wealth and neglected his chiropractic practice. For the past year, however, Doc has been attending Alcoholics Anonymous and is working hard to restore his life. Despite his efforts, his sobriety remains fragile. He views Marie, their young boarder, as the innocent daughter he never had, projecting his fantasies onto her. This denial of Marie’s true nature becomes another source of disappointment when he discovers her affair with Turk, prompting him to relapse into drinking. In his drunken state, he lashes out violently, accusing Lola of being a burden who has cost him his dreams. Ultimately, after a hospital stay and time to reflect, he returns to Lola with a new sense of acceptance about his circumstances.

Lola Delaney

Lola Delaney, a housewife, was married to Doc at eighteen and has mentally remained an adolescent for two decades. In contrast to her shy and introverted husband, she lacks internal resources and is entirely reliant on others. Once a strikingly attractive young woman, she has since let herself go, gaining weight and neglecting her appearance and household duties. Her youthful beauty was her sole source of success and satisfaction, and she remains fixated on those illusions. Her lost dog, Little Sheba, symbolizes her vanished youth and beauty, which she subconsciously hopes might return. Lola’s life, much like Doc’s, is filled with disappointment. Instead of turning to alcohol, she escapes into sleep and voyeurism, particularly concerning Marie's romantic escapades with Turk. She facilitates and observes their relationship, living vicariously through them. This obsession pushes her to spy on Marie and even reads a telegram announcing the arrival of Bruce, Marie’s fiancé, which spurs her into cleaning the house and preparing a special dinner. Doc’s violent reaction to her involvement in Marie’s life forces Lola to confront her reality, leading her to reconsider the path her life has taken.

Marie

Marie is a college student boarding with the Delaneys who brings a cheerful and sprightly presence to their otherwise unhappy household. At eighteen or nineteen, she serves as a conduit for both Doc's and Lola's projections. Doc perceives her as pure and saintly, akin to a daughter, while Lola sees Marie as a reflection of her own youthful self. Marie’s passionate affair with Turk, which Lola eagerly observes, ignites Doc’s suppressed anger, culminating in the play’s violent climax. Her open sexuality and use of Turk as a diversion while waiting for Bruce to marry her would have shocked the audience at the time the play was written. Unaware of the turmoil she has caused, Marie joyfully departs to marry Bruce at the play's end, oblivious to the near tragedy her actions have incited.

Turk

Turk, a college athlete, is good-looking, aggressive, and narcissistic. At just nineteen or twenty, he has already served in the military, gaining a facade of sophistication. His attitude toward women is predatory, focusing solely on sexual conquest. Despite Marie’s attraction to his raw sexuality, she understands that he does not...

(This entire section contains 1017 words.)

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represent a viable partner for marriage. Doc despises Turk for his uninhibited nature, which starkly contrasts with his own restrained demeanor. Witnessing Turk and Marie’s affair under his roof leads Doc to a drunken rage, resulting in threats of violence against Turk and accusations against Lola for facilitating the affair.

Bruce

Bruce, Marie’s fiancé, is an intelligent and ambitious young man from an upper-middle-class background. Already making strides in the business world, he is seen by Marie as a good marriage prospect despite lacking the passionate allure that Turk possesses. His arrival acts as a catalyst for Lola to clean and prepare the house. When Bruce proposes marriage to Marie, he offers her stability and a conventional middle-class life, albeit one potentially devoid of excitement.

Mrs. Coffman

Mrs. Coffman, the Delaneys’ next-door neighbor, is a middle-aged mother of seven who serves as a foil to the negligent Lola. She speaks with a German accent and embodies the hardworking, practical attitude typical of her cultural heritage. Although initially uninterested in gossip and maintaining a distant relationship, she becomes a supportive figure during Lola’s crisis. When Doc attacks Lola, Mrs. Coffman checks on her and offers comfort, sparking the beginnings of a friendship. By the play’s end, she invites Lola to join her family at the relay games, signifying their growing bond.

Ed Anderson
Ed Anderson, alongside Elmo Huston, is a member of Alcoholics Anonymous. Lola calls him twice out of desperation—once when she notices the missing alcohol and again when Doc returns home drunk. Ed, with Elmo's help, takes Doc to the hospital for treatment.

Elmo Huston
Like Ed, Elmo is part of Alcoholics Anonymous. He plays a key role in assisting Ed to transport Doc to the city hospital, providing support during Doc's relapse.

Milkman
The milkman is another individual caught in Lola’s quest for interaction. Despite being asked to leave written requests for deliveries, Lola prefers engaging him in conversation, which he finds charming, albeit mildly inconvenient. His warmth towards her suggests he is endeared by her eagerness for company.

Postman
The postman displays genuine empathy for Lola’s loneliness. He visits her, shares a glass of water, and exchanges a few words. However, upon learning about Doc’s affiliation with Alcoholics Anonymous, he seems uneasy with the intimate detail. After receiving a small toy for his grandchild from Lola, he promises to write her a letter, showing his compassion.

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