Character Relationship Map: Flesh

Characters

• Polakai (played by Wallace Beery) — protagonist

  A German wrestler who earns money by working at Mr. Herman's beer hall, where he helps Laura when she cannot pay for a meal and later gives her shelter. He loves Laura and believes her child will be h...

• Nicky (played by Ricardo Cortez) — supporting

  Laura's American boyfriend and fellow prisoner in Germany, Nicky does not know she is pregnant when she promises they will reunite. After Polakai helps secure his release, Nicky learns about the pregn...

• Laura (played by Karen Morley) — supporting

  An American convict released from a German prison because she is pregnant, Laura is in love with Nicky and initially tells Polakai that Nicky is her brother. Polakai shelters and supports her, and she...

• Mr. Herman (played by Jean Hersholt) — supporting

  The owner of the German beer hall where Polakai works, Mr. Herman is about to call the police when Laura cannot pay for her meal. Polakai pays for her instead, and Herman and his wife own the small ap...

• Willard (played by John Miljan) — supporting

  A crooked promoter in America, Willard is secretly in league with Nicky while Nicky acts as Polakai's manager. Their arrangement is connected to the rigging of Polakai's wrestling matches, which Polak...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Mr. Herman → Laura (Power Landlord) — Mr. Herman controls access to the meal and the lodging connected to Polakai.

  Laura stays in Polakai's small apartment, which is owned by Herman and his wife; Herman initially threatens to call the police when she cannot pay.

• Mr. Herman → Polakai (Professional Employer) — Mr. Herman employs Polakai before Polakai pursues wrestling abroad.

  Polakai works at Mr. Herman's local beer hall, lifting large beer barrels to entertain and serve customers.

• Laura → Nicky (Romantic Lovers) — Their romance drives Laura's choices and creates the central emotional conflict.

  Laura assures her boyfriend Nicky that they will reunite after his release. She remains in love with him despite his later abandonment.

Story Dynamics

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

• Willard → Polakai (Conflict Exploiter) — Willard manipulates Polakai's career for dishonest promotional purposes.

  Willard is a crooked promoter involved in rigging Polakai's wrestling matches.

• Nicky → Willard (Alliance Co-Conspirator) — Nicky and Willard collaborate to exploit Polakai.

  Nicky offers to manage Polakai but is actually in league with Willard, who rigs the wrestling matches.

• Polakai → Nicky (Conflict Rival) — Their rivalry intensifies from romantic competition into direct violence.

  Polakai believes Laura's false family story, but later strangles Nicky when he finds Nicky beating Laura.

• Polakai → Laura (Alliance Protector) — Polakai repeatedly supports Laura materially and emotionally.

  Polakai pays for Laura's meal, offers her a place to stay, and helps obtain Nicky's release after believing her false explanation.

Story Analysis

A generous wrestler's devotion is tested by deception, romantic betrayal, criminal violence, and reluctant forgiveness.

Plot Progression

1. Release and Unexpected Shelter — Laura leaves prison because she is pregnant and promises Nicky that they will reunite. Unable to pay for a meal, she receives help from Polakai and accepts shelter in his apartment.
2. Lies Beneath a Proposal — Polakai falls for Laura and repeatedly proposes, but Laura remains devoted to Nicky. She steals Polakai's money, invents a family relationship, and brings Nicky back into the household.
3. A Family Built on Absence — Nicky abandons Laura after learning about her pregnancy, allowing Laura to accept Polakai's proposal. Their child is born as Polakai wins the German championship, and he decides to move with Laura to...
4. The American Betrayal — In America, Nicky becomes Polakai's manager while secretly working with Willard. Polakai discovers the rigged matches, begins drinking, and struggles to remain capable of competing.
5. Violence and Forgiveness — Nicky beats Laura, and Polakai strangles him before winning the match he was supposed to lose. Arrested afterward, Polakai still holds Laura's hand when she offers to leave.