Character Relationship Map: The Stranger

Characters

• Peggy Bowlin (played by Betty Compson) — protagonist

  Peggy is a down-and-out girl who becomes closely attached to Larry after he befriends her. Larry moves her to a better neighborhood, and they prepare to marry and leave England. Her kindness toward Th...

• Keith Darrant (played by Lewis Stone) — supporting

  Keith is a high-class Englishman whose political prospects are threatened by the consequences of Larry's actions. After learning that The Stranger is facing execution for a crime Larry committed, Keit...

• The Stranger (played by Tully Marshall) — supporting

  The Stranger is an outcast who works in the saloon frequented by Peggy. After Larry accidentally kills a convict, he is arrested for the murder and refuses to speak because he fears harming Peggy's ha...

Story Dynamics

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

• Keith Darrant → Peggy Bowlin (Unknown Indirect Stakeholder) — Keith's final decision affects Peggy's security and future happiness.

  Keith's attempt to reach the scaffold is connected to preserving the truth and the happiness of the girl who has been kind to the Stranger.

• Keith Darrant → The Stranger (Narrative Rescuer And Condemned Man) — Keith becomes the Stranger's final possible means of survival.

  Keith is persuaded to abandon all other considerations and save the Stranger before the execution.

• Peggy Bowlin → The Stranger (Social Benefactor And Recipient) — Peggy's kindness creates the Stranger's willingness to protect her happiness.

  The Stranger works in the saloon Peggy frequents, and the review states that Peggy has been kind to him.

Story Analysis

A concealed truth and an act of self-sacrifice determine whether Peggy's fragile happiness can survive.

Plot Progression

1. A Promise of Respectability — Keith stands near political honors when a troubled family disruption enters his life. Peggy is introduced through her connection with the saloon and the Stranger.
2. Peggy Finds A New Life — Peggy and the Stranger form a strong friendship. Peggy's circumstances improve, and she prepares for marriage and departure from England.
3. The Fatal Return — A convict returns blaming Peggy for his imprisonment. The resulting fight ends with the convict's accidental death and transforms Peggy's hopeful future into a crisis.
4. Silence Before The Scaffold — The Stranger is arrested and convicted for the murder. He refuses to reveal the truth because he fears destroying Peggy's happiness.
5. A Truth Buried Forever — Keith decides to save the Stranger and rushes to the scaffold. The Stranger dies from the overwhelming thought of freedom, leaving the truth hidden and Peggy's happiness assured.