Character Relationship Map: Caveman

Characters

• Atouk (played by Ringo Starr) — protagonist

  Protagonist. Initially a bullied and scrawny caveman who desires Lana. After banishment, he joins a group of misfits, helps discover fire and tools, overthrows the tribe's leader, and becomes the new...

• Lar (played by Dennis Quaid) — protagonist

  Lar is close to Atouk and appears willing to respond when Atouk is distressed. He is later separated from the others and rescued from a glacier by the group, drawing Atouk and his companions into the...

• Tala (played by Shelley Long) — supporting

  Tala is one of the cavemen Atouk encounters after leaving the tribe, and she becomes closely connected with him. Their bond develops amid the group’s attempts to cooperate and survive danger, even as...

• Gog (played by Jack Gilford) — supporting

  Gog is among the cavemen Atouk encounters after wandering away from the tribe. He is part of the group with whom Atouk attempts to communicate through gestures and simple words, and the group becomes...

• Ruck (played by Mark King) — supporting

  Ruck is one of the cavemen Atouk encounters during his wandering after leaving the tribe. Atouk tries to communicate with the group through gestures and simple words, and the group becomes associated...

• Lana (played by Barbara Bach) — supporting

  Lana is the woman Atouk desires at the beginning of the story and is closely connected with Tonda, the dominant rival who repeatedly challenges him. Her relationship with Tonda fuels jealousy and conf...

• Kalta (played by Ed Greenberg) — minor

  Kalta is among the cavemen Atouk encounters after being pushed away from the tribe. Atouk attempts to communicate with the group through gestures and simple words, and the group gradually becomes asso...

• Flok (played by Paco Morayta) — minor

  Flok is among the cavemen Atouk encounters after he is pushed away from the tribe. Atouk tries to communicate with the group through gestures and simple words, and the group gradually becomes associat...

• Folg (played by Jack Scalici) — minor

  Folg is one of the cavemen Atouk encounters while wandering after leaving the tribe. Atouk tries to communicate with the group through gestures and simple words, and the group becomes associated with...

• Nook (played by Evan C. Kim) — minor

  Nook is one of the cavemen Atouk encounters during his wandering after leaving the tribe. Atouk tries to communicate with the group through gestures and simple words, and they become associated with f...

• Tonda (played by John Matuszak) — supporting

  Tonda is the dominant rival in Atouk’s original tribe and is closely connected with Lana. He repeatedly challenges Atouk, and their exchanges involve jealousy, threats, shouting, and claims of love. T...

• Grot (played by Miguel Ángel Fuentes) — minor
• Bork (played by Carl Lumbly) — supporting

  Bork is among the cavemen Atouk encounters after being pushed away from the tribe. Atouk tries to communicate with the group through gestures and simple words, and they become associated with friendsh...

• Folg's Daughter (played by Gigi Vorgan) — minor

Canonical Relationships

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

• Folg's Daughter → Folg (daughter)
• Atouk → Lana (Romantic Unrequited Suitor) — Atouk's desire for Lana drives his early jealousy and conflict, but he eventually turns away from her.

  Atouk is devoted to Lana and initially desires her, but the plot later says he rejects her.

• Atouk → Tala (Romantic Chosen Mates) — Tala becomes Atouk's partner, replacing his troubled attachment to Lana.

  Atouk forms a closer bond with Tala and ultimately chooses her as his mate.

• Tonda → Lana (Romantic Mate) — Lana is connected to the dominant leader Tonda, intensifying Atouk's rivalry with him.

  The character profile identifies Lana as Tonda's mate, and the plot describes their close connection.

Story Dynamics

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

• Atouk → Grot (Conflict Participant) — Grot is present in the later period of danger and confrontation, though the plot gives no further specific interaction.

  Grot appears during the later turmoil, which includes the final confrontations involving Atouk.

• Atouk → Folg (Alliance Companion) — Folg is among the group Atouk encounters after his separation from the tribe.

  Atouk encounters Folg among the cavemen during his wandering.

• Atouk → Kalta (Alliance Companion) — Kalta is included among the cavemen Atouk meets after leaving the tribe.

  Atouk encounters Kalta among the cavemen during his wandering.

• Atouk → Nook (Alliance Companion) — Nook is part of the group with whom Atouk attempts to communicate and cooperate.

  Atouk encounters Nook among the cavemen during his wandering.

• Atouk → Bork (Alliance Companion) — Bork is one of the figures in the group Atouk joins after being pushed away from the tribe.

  Atouk encounters Bork among the cavemen during his wandering.

• Atouk → Flok (Alliance Companion) — Flok is part of the group Atouk encounters as he seeks company and cooperation.

  Atouk encounters Flok among the cavemen during his wandering.

• Atouk → Ruck (Alliance Companion) — Ruck is among the group Atouk encounters after leaving the tribe.

  Atouk encounters Ruck during his wandering, among the cavemen with whom he tries to communicate.

• Atouk → Gog (Alliance Companion) — Gog becomes part of the group Atouk joins, whose interactions are associated with cooperation and survival.

  During his wandering, Atouk encounters Gog, and Gog is identified as a member of the group Atouk joins after exile.

• Atouk → Lar (Social Friend) — Lar remains a close companion through Atouk's exile and the group's later dangers.

  Lar stays near Atouk and responds to his distress; the character profile also identifies Lar as Atouk's friend and says they are banished together.

• Atouk → Tonda (Conflict Rival) — Their conflict begins around Lana and ends in a confrontation in which Atouk overthrows Tonda.

  Tonda repeatedly challenges Atouk over Lana, and their rivalry culminates in a decisive final struggle.

Story Analysis

Atouk leaves a hostile tribal rivalry, joins a cooperative group, and ultimately chooses Tala after confronting Tonda.

Plot Progression

1. Desire and Tribal Rivalry — Atouk desires Lana, who is closely connected to Tonda. Jealousy and repeated challenges push Atouk away from the tribe.
2. A New Group — While wandering, Atouk encounters Tala, Gog, and other cavemen. He tries to communicate, and the group gradually develops ties through friendship, food, and cooperation.
3. Cold and Separation — The approaching ice age threatens the group as they travel. Confused encounters and separation lead to calls for help and attempts to find one another.
4. The Final Rivalry — Lana becomes endangered or isolated while Atouk tries to reach her. Tonda continues to challenge Atouk, and their rivalry reaches a decisive struggle.
5. Atouk and Tala United — Atouk's bond with Tala replaces his earlier troubled attachment to Lana. The surviving cavemen remain together as Atouk and Tala end the story united.