Character Relationship Map: Homecoming

Characters

• Abigail Tillerman (played by Anne Bancroft) — protagonist

  Abigail is the children's grandmother, living alone on an isolated farm in Crisfield. Initially she refuses to let Dicey and her siblings stay, explaining that she is too old, has little savings, and...

• Dicey Tillerman (played by Kimberlee Peterson) — supporting

  Dicey is Liza's thirteen-year-old daughter and the eldest of the four children. After their mother abandons them, she takes responsibility for protecting her siblings and leads them toward relatives....

• James Tillerman (played by Trever O'Brien) — supporting

  James is Liza's ten-year-old son and one of Dicey's younger siblings. He travels with the family after their mother abandons them, and Eunice's plan would send him to live with another family rather t...

• Sammy Tillerman (played by William Greenblatt) — supporting

  Sammy is Liza's six-year-old son and the youngest of the four siblings. He travels with Dicey, James, and Maybeth after their mother abandons them. When Dicey goes ahead to meet Abigail, she leaves hi...

• Liza Tillerman (played by Anna Louise Richardson) — supporting

  Liza is the mother of Dicey, James, Maybeth, and Sammy. On a summer night, she abandons her four children in a mall parking lot, prompting Dicey to lead them in search of family. Later, a letter repor...

• Maybeth Tillerman (played by Hanna Hall) — supporting

  Maybeth is Liza's nine-year-old daughter and one of Dicey's younger siblings. She makes the journey with her brothers and sister after their mother leaves them, and Eunice says she will keep Maybeth w...

• Eunice Logan (played by Bonnie Bedelia) — supporting

  Eunice is the children's cousin and the daughter of their late Aunt Cilla. She tells the children that her mother has died and consults Father Joseph about letting them stay temporarily. Eunice interc...

• Security Guard (played by R.D. Reid) — supporting
• Gas Station Attendant (played by Kenner Ames) — supporting
• Windy (played by Scott Michael Campbell) — supporting
• Millie (the butcher) (played by Jacque Lynn Colton) — supporting
• Detective Gordo (played by Richard Fitzpatrick) — minor
• Father Joseph (played by Roger Dunn) — minor

  Father Joseph is the priest at Eunice's local parish. When Eunice consults him after the children arrive, he advises that they may stay with her, but only temporarily. His counsel informs Eunice's res...

Story Analysis

A journey of abandonment, resilience, and familial reconciliation driven by a grandmother's reluctant acceptance.

Plot Progression

1. Abandonment and the Long Walk — Liza leaves her four children in a Connecticut mall parking lot with minimal supplies. Dicey takes charge, leading her siblings on a grueling journey to Bridgeport to find their aunt.
2. Dead Ends and New Directions — Upon reaching Bridgeport, the children learn Aunt Cilla has died. Eunice and Father Joseph redirect them toward their grandmother in Maryland, but Eunice intercepts their funds.
3. Confrontation at the Farm — Dicey and the children arrive at Abigail's isolated farm. Initial meetings are tense, with Abigail questioning Dicey and refusing to take them in due to her age and past regrets.
4. Revelation and Homecoming — A letter reveals Liza's severe mental breakdown. After arranging a bus back to Bridgeport, Abigail experiences a sudden change of heart and brings the children home permanently.