Character Relationship Map: Object: Alimony

Characters

• Jimmy Rutledge (played by Hugh Allan) — supporting

  Jimmy is Ruth's husband and the son of the emporium's owner. After he walks in on Renaud Graham embracing Ruth, he suspects her of wrongdoing and leaves her. Seeing a play based on Ruth's life brings...

• Al Bryant (played by Roscoe Karns) — supporting

  Al Bryant is an aspiring writer whom Ruth meets after taking refuge in a boardinghouse while pregnant. Ruth tells him the story of her life, and he turns it into a bestselling novel and then a play. J...

• Renaud Graham (played by Douglas Gilmore) — supporting

  Renaud Graham is a friend of Mrs. Rutledge who becomes interested in Ruth. He forces his way into Ruth's apartment and attempts to make violent love to her. Jimmy arrives during their embrace, misinte...

Story Dynamics

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

• Al Bryant → Renaud Graham (Indirect Narrative Counterpart) — Al's work provides a narrative context through which Renaud's conduct is indirectly represented.

  Al Bryant transforms Ruth's account of the events into a novel and a play, while the events involving Renaud Graham form part of that account.

• Jimmy Rutledge → Al Bryant (Narrative Audience And Dramatist) — Al's dramatization indirectly changes Jimmy's understanding of the separation.

  Al Bryant turns Ruth's life story into a bestselling novel and then into a play. Jimmy sees the play and comes to his senses.

• Jimmy Rutledge → Renaud Graham (Conflict Romantic Rival) — Renaud's assault creates the misunderstanding that separates Jimmy from Ruth.

  Renaud Graham forces his way into Ruth's apartment and attempts to make violent love to her. Jimmy walks in on their embrace, suspects the worst, and...

Story Analysis

A marriage damaged by social prejudice and mistaken suspicion is ultimately restored through a dramatized life story.

Plot Progression

1. Marriage Against Expectations — Ruth, an emporium clerk, marries Jimmy Rutledge despite opposition rooted in her lowly origins. The marriage establishes the social pressure surrounding their relationship.
2. The Apartment Misunderstanding — Renaud Graham becomes interested in Ruth and forces his way into her apartment. Jimmy sees their embrace, suspects the worst, and leaves Ruth.
3. Refuge and Reinvention — Pregnant and separated from Jimmy, Ruth finds refuge in a boardinghouse. She tells Al Bryant her life story, giving him the material for a bestselling novel and later a play.
4. The Play Brings Recognition — Jimmy sees the play based on Ruth's story and finally comes to his senses. He wins Ruth's forgiveness, closing the separation with reconciliation.