Character Relationship Map: Big Boy

Characters

• Gus (played by Al Jolson) — protagonist

  Gus is a loyal stable boy and jockey who works for a wealthy family with a long history of horse racing and breeding. After he is framed for tampering with Big Boy and dismissed, he takes a job as a w...

• Mother (played by Louise Closser Hale) — supporting

  Mother is Jack's mother and a member of the wealthy family that employs Gus. When Jack's creditors persuade him to ask her to replace Gus as Big Boy's jockey, she refuses. Her refusal does not prevent...

• Jack (played by Lloyd Hughes) — supporting

  Jack is the young heir of the wealthy family that employs Gus. After losing a great deal of money gambling, he is blackmailed by creditors over a forged check and is persuaded to ask his mother to rep...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Mother → Jack (Family Mother And Son) — Mother is Jack's parent and the family authority he approaches.

  Jack's creditors persuade him to ask his mother to replace Gus.

• Gus → Mother (Professional Employee And Employer) — Gus serves the family professionally, and Mother has authority over his position.

  Gus works as the family's stable boy and jockey, while Mother represents the family that employs him. She refuses the request to replace him.

Story Dynamics

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

• Jack → Gus (Alliance Conflicted Ally) — Jack's actions shift from endangering Gus's position to assisting him.

  Jack first becomes connected to the attempt to replace Gus after his creditors pressure him, but later helps Gus outsmart the crooks.

Story Analysis

A loyal jockey overcomes a false accusation and a race-fixing scheme to restore his place through courage and victory.

Plot Progression

1. A Legacy in the Stable — Gus serves a wealthy Southern family as stable boy and jockey. The family's long history with racing establishes the importance of Big Boy and Gus's position.
2. Debt Behind the Saddle — Jack loses heavily through gambling and is blackmailed over a forged check. His creditors pressure him to remove Gus from Big Boy's racing plans.
3. The False Accusation — Mother refuses Jack's request, so Gus is framed for tampering with the horse. He is discharged and replaced by a jockey who has been paid to lose.
4. Secrets in the Restaurant — Gus starts over as a waiter in a fancy restaurant. There he uncovers the details of the plan to throw the race.
5. The Winning Ride — Jack helps Gus outsmart the crooks before the race. Gus rides Big Boy and defeats the scheme by winning.