Final answer:
Miss Smith displays fear and shyness when caught unexpectedly, during a mistaken identity situation when her fingers tremble, and when talking about her mother's timidity regarding male friends. These situations reveal her vulnerability and the influence of personal and cultural factors on her social behavior.
Step-by-step explanation:
Miss Smith shows her fear and shyness in various instances throughout different texts, displaying human emotions that many can relate to. The situational response of characters to external stimuli is a common theme in literature, allowing readers to explore the psychological dimensions of fictional personalities.
One clear instance of Miss Smith's fear and shyness is when she is caught unexpectedly by someone in the room and asked about her activities. Her immediate reaction is to turn around as if she had been caught stealing, displaying a defensive and somewhat guilty demeanor. This particular behavior illustrates the character's vulnerability and the sudden intrusion into her private space, leading to a display of shyness or social discomfort.
Another example involves Miss Smith feeling trepidation when she is walking hand in hand with another woman, thinking she was her friend Sister Sara and finding out she is actually a stranger. The physical symptom of her fingers trembling showcases the physiological aspects of her timidity and nervousness in an unfamiliar situation. This not only indicates her shyness but also highlights the cultural aspect of being a purdahnishin woman, who is not used to being unveiled among strangers.
Lastly, the character's shyness and fear are evident when faced with social circumstances that involve introducing male friends to her mother. Miss Smith describes her mother as 'right down timid' and mentions the fuss her mother makes when introduced to a gentleman friend. This reflects a sense of anxiety not only in herself but also in her mother, suggesting that the trait of shyness may be inherited or influenced by familial behavior.