Character Relationship Map: Surrender

Characters

• Daisy Morgan (played by Sally Field) — protagonist

  A commercial artist involved in a rocky relationship with Marty. She falls in love with Sean, initially lies about why she accepts him, wins two million dollars at a casino, rejects a marriage proposa...

• Sean Stein (played by Michael Caine) — protagonist

  A successful novelist who becomes distrustful of women after two divorces and a palimony suit. He pretends to be poor to test Daisy's love, later struggles with jealousy over her motives, and attempts...

• Marty (played by Steve Guttenberg) — supporting

  Daisy's whiny and unstable lawyer boyfriend who fears commitment. He persuades Daisy that he has changed and convinces her to live with him, later begs her to return and is paid off after she rejects...

• Jay (played by Peter Boyle) — supporting

  Sean's lawyer, who helps Sean pretend to be a poor failure in order to test whether Daisy will love him for himself.

Canonical Relationships

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

• Sean Stein → Jay (Professional Lawyer And Client) — Jay assists Sean with the deception that shapes his courtship of Daisy.

  Sean receives help from his lawyer, Jay, in pretending to be a poor failure.

• Daisy Morgan → Marty (Unstable Romantic Partners) — Their uncertain relationship forms the main romantic obstacle.

  Daisy is in a rocky relationship with Marty, who is afraid to make a commitment.

• Sean Stein → Daisy Morgan (Romantic Attraction) — Their attraction develops into the central romantic relationship.

  Sean becomes immediately attracted to Daisy after they are bound together during the charity-ball robbery.

Story Dynamics

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

• Sean Stein → Marty (Conflict Romantic Rivalry) — The two men are competing romantic alternatives for Daisy.

  Marty's renewed relationship with Daisy causes Sean heartbreak, and Marty later appears while Sean and Daisy are deciding their future.

Story Analysis

A wealthy novelist and a commercial artist repeatedly test whether their romance is based on love or money.

Plot Progression

1. A Robbery Sparks Desire — Sean's distrust of women is established before a charity-ball robbery binds him to Daisy. Their forced proximity produces an immediate attraction, but Daisy is still involved with Marty.
2. The Poor Man Test — Sean asks Jay to help him appear poor so he can test Daisy's motives. Their relationship develops while Daisy remains unaware of Sean's success.
3. Wealth Revealed — Marty persuades Daisy to live with him just as Sean plans to reveal his identity. A newspaper clipping exposes Sean's wealth, but his doubts about Daisy's motives remain.
4. The Prenup And Jackpot — Sean and Daisy elope to Lake Tahoe and argue over a prenuptial agreement. Daisy's casino jackpot reverses their financial positions and renews the question of trust.
5. A Last Chance At Love — Daisy ends her relationship with Marty, while Sean pursues a spiteful robbery. Daisy returns with a marriage proposal, and the final cash exchange softens the conflict.