Character Relationship Map: Little Men

Characters

• Professor Bhaer (played by Ralph Morgan) — protagonist

  Professor Bhaer helps run the boarding school with Jo Bhaer and initially hesitates to accept Dan because Dan is older than the other boys. After Dan is wrongly blamed for stealing, he sends him to a...

• Dan (played by Frankie Darro) — supporting

  Dan is an older homeless boy whom Nat Blake brings to the boarding school. He is rude, arrogant, careless, and frequently causes trouble, but he protects Nat when the other boys bully him. After being...

• Dick (played by Buster Phelps) — supporting

  Dick is a boy living at the boarding school who becomes extremely sick and dies. His death brings the boys and adults together in mourning, creating a serious emotional turning point while Dan is miss...

• Jack (played by Tad Alexander) — supporting

  Jack is a boy at the boarding school whose note appears after Dick dies. In it, Jack admits that he stole Tommy Bangs's dollar and says that he is never coming back. His confession reveals that Dan wa...

• Nat Blake (played by David Durand) — supporting

  Nat Blake is a soft-spoken, compassionate, respectful, and bright boy taken in by Professor Bhaer and Jo Bhaer. Although the other boys initially pick on him, he soon fits in. After seeing his homeles...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Professor Bhaer → Jack (Professional Institutional Authority) — Jack's confession directly affects Professor Bhaer's judgment and actions.

  Jack leaves a note admitting that he stole the dollar, and Professor Bhaer responds by recognizing that Dan was wrongly punished.

• Professor Bhaer → Dan (Family Guardian) — Dan becomes a difficult but protected member of Professor Bhaer's household.

  Professor Bhaer allows Dan to stay at the house after he is brought in from the streets, despite his hesitation.

• Professor Bhaer → Nat Blake (Family Guardian) — Professor Bhaer provides Nat with a home and protection.

  Nat arrives at the house and is taken in by Professor Bhaer and the household.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Jack → Dick (Social Housemate) — Their connection is established through the shared orphanage community.

  Jack is part of the same household that comes together in mourning after Dick becomes sick and dies.

• Nat Blake → Dick (Social Housemate) — They share membership in the boarding school community.

  Nat lives at the house with the other boys, and the household later mourns Dick's death.

• Nat Blake → Jack (Social Housemate) — Their shared household places them within the same group conflict.

  Nat and Jack are among the boys living at the same house when the stolen-dollar accusation spreads.

• Dan → Dick (Social Housemate) — They are members of the same troubled but connected household.

  Dan lives with the boys at the house, and the household later mourns Dick's death during Dan's absence.

• Dan → Jack (Conflict Unwitting Rival) — Jack's hidden action causes Dan to be falsely punished.

  Dan is blamed for the stolen dollar, but Jack later leaves a note saying that he stole it.

• Dan → Nat Blake (Social Close Friend) — Their friendship motivates Dan to protect Nat and recover the missing money.

  Nat brings Dan back from the streets, and Dan acts as Nat's bodyguard when the other boys try to bully him.

• Professor Bhaer → Dick (Social Caretaker) — Professor Bhaer is part of the household responsible for Dick's welfare and mourning.

  Dick becomes extremely sick and dies while living at the house, and the orphanage comes together in mourning.

Story Analysis

A troubled boy's separation and return reveal how compassion, mistaken judgment, and shared hardship shape the Plumfield household.

Plot Progression

1. A New Home for Nat — Professor Bhaer operates a boarding school for wayward boys. Nat arrives, suffers initial bullying, and gradually becomes accepted within the household.
2. Dan Joins the Household — Nat finds his homeless friend Dan and brings him to Plumfield. Although Professor Bhaer hesitates, Dan is allowed to stay and quickly creates disorder.
3. The False Accusation — A dollar disappears, and Nat becomes the first target of suspicion. Dan protects Nat, earns money through newspaper sales, and is then mistaken for the thief.
4. Loss and Remorse — Dan is sent away and escapes. Dick dies, Jack confesses to the theft, and Professor Bhaer realizes that Dan was wrongly punished.
5. Dan Comes Home — The boys understand how much they miss Dan while Professor Bhaer searches for him. Dan eventually returns, restoring unity and happiness at Plumfield.