Character Relationship Map: Jeremy

Characters

• Jeremy Jones (played by Robby Benson) — protagonist

  Jeremy Jones is a shy, bespectacled Jewish fifteen-year-old and the central character. A serious cello student at a performing-arts high school, he also walks dogs, reads poetry, plays chess and baske...

• Susan Rollins (played by Glynnis O'Connor) — protagonist

  Susan Rollins is a new, older student at Jeremy Jones's school who practices ballet and has recently moved from Detroit to New York with her father. Impressed by Jeremy's cello performance, she begins...

• Susan's Father (played by Ned Wilson) — supporting

  Susan's Father has moved with Susan Rollins from Detroit to New York to take a new job. When he receives a better offer back in Detroit, he decides that they must leave almost immediately. He dismisse...

• Ralph Manzoni (played by Len Bari) — supporting

  Ralph Manzoni is Jeremy Jones's more confident friend. After Jeremy is too shy to approach Susan Rollins, Ralph explains Jeremy's feelings to her and brings back her message that Jeremy should call. J...

• Jeremy's Father (played by Chris Bohn) — supporting

  Jeremy's Father is one of the parents with whom Jeremy lives in a New York City apartment. He is occupied with his own pursuits and is not consistently available to his son. When Jeremy seeks him out...

• Jeremy's Mother (played by Patricia Wheel) — supporting

  Jeremy's Mother lives with Jeremy Jones and his father in their New York City apartment. The plot establishes that Jeremy's parents are busy with their own pursuits, leaving him mostly on his own, but...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Jeremy's Mother → Jeremy Jones (mother)
• Jeremy's Father → Jeremy Jones (father)
• Susan's Father → Susan Rollins (father)
• Jeremy Jones → Susan Rollins (Romantic Lovers) — Their mutual love develops during a three-week relationship, but Susan's father's decision to return to Detroit forces them to part.

  After Jeremy plays cello at a school recital, Susan congratulates him. They begin dating, say they love each other, and make love; Susan later leaves...

Story Dynamics

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

• Susan Rollins → Ralph Manzoni (Narrative Messenger) — Ralph serves as the intermediary who conveys Susan's invitation to Jeremy.

  Ralph explains Jeremy's situation to Susan, and she sends word back to Jeremy through him that he should call her.

• Jeremy Jones → Ralph Manzoni (Social Friend) — Ralph helps Jeremy approach Susan, but later is not receptive when Jeremy tries to talk about her departure.

  Jeremy confides to Ralph that he is falling in love with Susan. Ralph also tells Susan about Jeremy's feelings and brings back her message that Jeremy...

Story Analysis

A shy young musician experiences first love and the pain of an abrupt separation.

Plot Progression

1. A Glimpse of Susan — Jeremy's solitary routines and devotion to cello establish his quiet world. He sees Susan practicing ballet and becomes too shy to ask her name.
2. The Recital Opens a Door — Ralph carries Jeremy's feelings to Susan, but Jeremy hesitates after seeing her with an older boy. Susan's response to Jeremy's cello recital encourages him to call and ask her out.
3. A Brief First Love — On their first date, Susan shares that her mother is dead and that she moved from Detroit with her father. Over the following weeks, the two grow close, profess their love, and become intimate.
4. The Sudden Departure — Susan learns that her father has accepted a better job in Detroit and plans to leave at once. Her appeal fails, and Jeremy finds little support when he tries to talk about losing her.
5. A Tearful Goodbye — Susan and Jeremy say goodbye at the airport. She departs, leaving Jeremy alone again.