Character Relationship Map: Class

Characters

• Ellen (played by Jacqueline Bisset) — protagonist

  Ellen is an older married woman whom Jonathan meets in Chicago after being sent there to gain sexual experience. She begins an affair with him, initially treating it as a fling, but withdraws after le...

• Skip (played by Rob Lowe) — protagonist

  Skip is Jonathan's senior roommate and the son of Ellen. He begins their friendship by humiliating Jonathan with a prank involving girls' underwear, then regrets it and accepts Jonathan's revenge. He...

• Jonathan (played by Andrew McCarthy) — supporting

  Jonathan is a new prep-school student and Skip's roommate. After being mocked and tricked into wearing girls' underwear, he retaliates with an elaborate fake suicide prank, becoming close friends with...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Ellen → Skip (Family Mother) — Ellen's hidden family identity transforms the conflict between the three characters.

  During Christmas at the Burroughs estate, Jonathan discovers that Ellen is Skip's mother and is married.

• Jonathan → Ellen (Romantic Lovers) — Their affair becomes Jonathan's central emotional and romantic entanglement.

  Jonathan is picked up by Ellen in Chicago, has an affair with her, and falls in love with her.

Story Dynamics

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

• Skip → Jonathan (Social Roommate) — Their shared room becomes the setting for their pranks, secrets, conflicts, and reconciliation.

  Jonathan meets Skip when he arrives at his dorm, and Skip identifies himself as Jonathan's roommate.

Story Analysis

A friendship formed through humiliation is tested by secrecy, an unequal affair, and a devastating family revelation.

Plot Progression

1. The Dormitory Prank — Jonathan arrives at prep school and meets Skip, who introduces him to a humiliating underwear prank. The embarrassment initially threatens their new roommate relationship.
2. Humiliation and Reversal — The prank continues through public mockery and Jonathan's apparent suicide hoax. The mannequin reveal transforms humiliation into mutual laughter and friendship.
3. Secrets and Sexual Guidance — Jonathan and Skip share secrets, while Skip tries to help Jonathan find sexual experience. Their friendship sends Jonathan toward Chicago and a consequential encounter.
4. The Chicago Affair — Jonathan begins an affair with Ellen and falls in love, while hiding his age and falsely claiming to be a Ph.D. student. Ellen withdraws after discovering the truth.
5. Family Betrayal — At Christmas, Jonathan discovers that Ellen is Skip's married mother. Jonathan and Ellen meet again secretly, and Skip discovers them together, causing a fight before reconciliation.