Character Relationship Map: Pariah

Characters

• Alike (played by Adepero Oduye) — protagonist

  The 17-year-old protagonist navigating her coming-of-age as a butch lesbian. She struggles with her mother's religious expectations and her own identity, finding early support in her friend Laura and...

• Laura (played by Pernell Walker) — protagonist

  Alike's openly lesbian best friend who provides early companionship and acceptance. She grows annoyed when Alike distances herself to pursue Bina but reconciles with her after Alike flees her hostile...

• Bina (played by Aasha Davis) — supporting

  A church girl introduced by Audrey as a potential friend for Alike. Alike develops romantic feelings for her, leading to an intimate encounter. However, Bina dismisses the relationship, stating she is...

• Arthur (played by Charles Parnell) — supporting

  Alike's father and a police detective who maintains a relatively close relationship with her. He initially dismisses her identity changes as a phase but offers cautious support. After the explosive fa...

• Sharonda (played by Sahra Mellesse) — supporting

  Alike's sister who attempts to mediate during her parents' explosive fights. She witnesses the family conflict and ultimately joins her father and Laura in seeing Alike off, reflecting the family's fr...

• Audrey (played by Kim Wayans) — supporting

  Alike's strict Christian mother who strongly disapproves of her daughter's butch presentation and sexuality. She attempts to enforce traditional femininity and steer Alike toward church peers. When Al...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Audrey → Laura (Power Restrictive Authority) — Audrey treats Laura as an influence that must be removed from Alike's life.

  Audrey tries to stem Laura's influence by pushing Alike toward Bina instead.

• Arthur → Audrey (Family Spouses) — Their marriage becomes a battleground over parental responsibility and Alike's identity.

  Arthur and Audrey repeatedly fight about his late returns from work and about Alike.

• Alike → Sharonda (Family Sisters) — Sharonda witnesses the family crisis and shows concern for Alike.

  Sharonda is identified as Alike's sister and protests during the parents' fight about Alike.

• Alike → Audrey (Family Daughter) — Their mother-daughter bond is strained by religious and identity-based expectations.

  Audrey is Alike's mother and tries to control her clothing, friendships, and presentation.

• Alike → Arthur (Family Daughter) — Arthur is the more approachable parent in Alike's family.

  Arthur is identified as Alike's father, and Alike says she has a better relationship with him than with Audrey.

• Alike → Bina (Romantic Interest) — Their brief intimacy becomes a major emotional turning point for Alike.

  Alike develops feelings for Bina, and the two spend the night together after Bina kisses and caresses her.

Story Dynamics

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

• Audrey → Bina (Social Introducer) — Audrey uses Bina as an approved alternative to Laura.

  Audrey pushes Alike to make friends with Bina, a girl from her church.

• Alike → Laura (Social Best Friend) — Laura is Alike's closest friend and an early source of acceptance.

  Alike regularly spends time at clubs with Laura, her openly lesbian friend. They reconcile after Alike flees her hostile home.

Story Analysis

A young woman claims her identity and chooses an independent future despite rejection from her family.

Plot Progression

1. Identity Beneath Expectations — Alike lives openly in lesbian spaces with Laura while becoming more comfortable with her butch identity. Audrey responds by enforcing feminine clothing and directing Alike toward church-approved frien...
2. A Dangerous New Attraction — Alike grows closer to Bina and distances herself from Laura. Arthur offers cautious support, while tension between Arthur and Audrey continues to expose instability at home.
3. The Promise That Vanishes — After a concert, Bina initiates intimacy with Alike. The next morning, Bina denies that they have a relationship, leaving Alike deeply hurt and isolated.
4. Coming Out Under Fire — A family argument about Alike leads her to come out to her parents. Audrey violently rejects her, and Alike escapes to Laura, where their friendship is restored.
5. Choosing the Open Road — Arthur apologizes and asks Alike to return home, but she chooses to leave for California and begin college early. Audrey still refuses acceptance, while Laura, Arthur, and Sharonda see Alike off.