Angela Shepard

[xolilkelox1]

what's your personal take on her do you think she is as "evil"as Bryon makes her out to be ?

[BlindedxxFalcon]

I think she would make a great character to write because so much about her is left untold. Yes, Bryon makes her out to be evil but is she really? I'd love to see other authors takes on her character.

[zevie]

I love Angela. She's just so much fun to write. She's the baby of the Shepard family! She was just destined to be a brat, lol. To my mind, she ends up a little like a female version of Dally/Tim. She's a tough cookie, lol, and she don't take no shhh from no one. She lashes out just like them, but less straightforward, more underhanded (more fun, lol). But, she's just as insecure and scared as anyone deep down. She needs her security, and when that's not there, she breaks down, like in TWTTIN. I love the idea that she needs her older brothers - maybe less so Curly, but Tim quite a bit. Although, she probably doesn't express it. But, in any case, she makes for an excellent outlet for cattiness.

[fosterchild]

I think she's that girl who's bad side you don't want to be on because she'd make your life a living hell. Although, I think she'd only do that if you were close to her and screwed her over in some significant way. Insecure and looking for a father figure is a way I'd describe her. I think she needs positive reinforcement in more than just an 'I wanna get in your pants' kind of way. She needs someone to shove her in the right direction.

I think she'd be an interesting character to write.

[Keira]

I couldn't agree with you more, fosterchild.

The way I always viewed Angela, is that she is a hardened chick - because of the circumstances surrounding her. Sure, she'd probably be bratty no matter what kind of family she came from, but the family she does end up with is one that is ready to add ample amounts of fuel to her fire - and even go as far as to back her up on her attitude.

I never gave much thought to the fact that she needs some good, positive reinforcement, but it's so true. Even though it seems like she gets her way and her brothers are always there to fight for her, when she doesn't fight for herself - I'm sure she gets quite a bit more negative attention than anything else, even by those who are supposed to be good for her. Even Tim and Curly. And I know there are legions of Shepard fans out here, so don't come charging down my door with chainsaws and whatnot, but you can't rule out the possibility that those who think they might be protecting her are actually pushing her further and further down.

All of what I just said seems a little contradictory, but it's pretty feasible. No one keeps her in check and she probably doesn't have the best support system that she should.

I also imagine she has pretty low self-esteem.

[zevie]

I didn't think about that, but it makes a lot of sense. Mirrors what I think happens to Curly because of Tim - and to an extent, to Ponyboy because of Darry. The older brothers just keep pushing for them to have a better life, and they don't realize that it's hurting their cause. I think Tim would push Curly to try and be a better criminal, lol, to ensure his survival (the same way Darry would push Ponyboy to study). It makes sense that he'd put pressure on Angela, too. I think I read a fic about him trying to protect her by forcing her into marriage (and we know how that ends up from TWTTIN) ...oh, yeah, that was Artemis' work again, lol. I think it's called "White Wedding" or something along those lines. It's very good (needless to say, lol)!

[samanthamae]

I LOVE Angela. I love reading about her, I love writing her...yeah, you get the point. But if she was a real person, I wouldn't really be one of her best friends.

It's so freakin' hard to find decent stories about her. Some make her out as a total b*tch, and some make her as a total sweetheart. I think she'd only be rude to people she needs to be rude to--girls in school, ex-boyfriends, etc. This may be why Bryon thinks so little of her.

Backing up Mars' comment on her boy-crazy actions here. I'm currently working on a chapter story about her and always looking for a date (currently debating on whether to actually post it or not). Tim and Curly must have a big role in her feelings towards men.

I always imagined her as being nice to friends, but if she had something to say to one of them, she sure won't say it behind her back. I think maybe she fights a lot with her girl friends.

And, finally, the low self-esteem thing! In some fics, she thinks she's good-looking, so she's really cocky about it. I think she isn't sure about how she looks or acts, so when she dates boys, it makes her feel better about herself when she has someone "protecting" her. I'm sure her dating status goes up when Tim and Curly are locked up.

Also, she's one of the only female characters I'm sure will say "ain't" and double negatives all the time. Ohh, Angel. I long to write thee.

[Tensleep]

I didn't really like Angela. I dunno, I guess there was something about her character that bugged me. But I do plan to write her in The River King since everyone needs a bratty little sister, but aside from that, she never captured my attention.

How I see Angela is a master of playing people against each other. If she doesn't get her way with someone, she just moves onto the next until she does. I can also see her being the queen of tantrums, too. But I agree with the general consensus that if she gets pissed off the person who made her that way is going to get a few good bruises over it.

Needless to say, with this view, Danny and Angela do not get along.

[fairlane]

She probably gets some pretty contradictory messages from Tim and Curly. Tim is apparantly protective of her, so I'd imagine that extends to her 'dating', he probably has certain expectations of what she shouldn't do. But the gang environment is male orientated in its way, she probably gets other signals about what he wants and expects from girls. Am I being tactful enough lol.

[zevie]

Like... "Do as I say, not as my gang's girlfriends do." That sort of thing?

[sharpshooter]

Um, I'm not too sure if this is on topic, but does anyoe know for sure she's the youngest Shepard? That's been bugging me, since I always imagine her at least a year or two older then Curly.

[samanthamae]

No, it's not exactly true. I just like to think of her as the youngets because she's so dependent on her brothers. But no one knows for sure.