Character Relationship Map: Back Home

Characters

• Mrs. Peggy Dickinson (played by Hayley Mills) — protagonist

  Peggy is Rusty's mother and Charlie's mother. When Rusty returns to England in 1945, Peggy's family and circumstances have changed during the war. She is described as a modern, self-sufficient wife, a...

• Virginia 'Rusty' Dickinson (played by Hayley Carr) — supporting

  Rusty is the central character, an English girl who returns home in 1945 after living with a foster family in America during the war. She has absorbed American culture and struggles to adjust to her c...

• Charles 'Charlie' Dickinson (played by Adam Stevenson) — supporting

  Charlie is Rusty's new five-year-old brother, whom she meets when she returns to England. He dislikes his returning father, Roger, whom he experiences as a new presence in his life. Charlie's reaction...

• Mr. Roger Dickinson (played by Rupert Frazer) — supporting

  Roger is Rusty and Charlie's father and Peggy's husband. He remains stationed as a soldier in Burma while Rusty returns home, then comes back after Japan surrenders. His old-fashioned behavior clashes...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Mrs. Peggy Dickinson → Mr. Roger Dickinson (Family Husband And Wife) — Their reunion brings a clash between Roger's traditional expectations and Peggy's wartime self-sufficiency.

  Roger is described as Peggy's husband. His old-fashioned nature makes him unhappy with her modern, self-sufficient behavior.

• Mrs. Peggy Dickinson → Charles 'Charlie' Dickinson (Family Mother And Son) — Peggy and Charlie are part of the family changed by the years Rusty spent away and Roger's wartime absence.

  The plot identifies Peggy as Charlie's mother.

• Virginia 'Rusty' Dickinson → Mr. Roger Dickinson (Family Daughter And Father) — Roger's old-fashioned behavior clashes with Rusty's Americanised outlook after their family is reunited.

  Roger is identified as Rusty's father and returns from Burma after Japan surrenders.

• Virginia 'Rusty' Dickinson → Charles 'Charlie' Dickinson (Family Sister And Brother) — Rusty meets Charlie as a new member of the family after spending the war years away in America.

  Charlie is introduced as Rusty's new five-year-old brother when she returns home.

• Virginia 'Rusty' Dickinson → Mrs. Peggy Dickinson (Family Mother And Daughter) — Rusty's return reunites her with Peggy, whose family life and circumstances have changed during the war.

  The plot identifies Peggy as Rusty's mother, whom Rusty meets when she returns to England in 1945.

Story Dynamics

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

• Charles 'Charlie' Dickinson → Mr. Roger Dickinson (Father And Son In Conflict) — Because Roger is a new presence in his life, Charlie's dislike adds to the family's tension after the reunion.

  The plot states that Charlie dislikes his 'new' father when Roger returns home.

Story Analysis

After returning to England from wartime America, Rusty faces a changed family and struggles to adjust to a strict boarding school.

Plot Progression

1. Across the Atlantic — Rusty leaves England during World War II and lives with a foster family in America. During that time, she absorbs American culture.
2. A Changed Homecoming — Rusty returns to England in 1945 and discovers that her family circumstances have changed. She reunites with Peggy and meets her young brother Charlie while Roger remains in Burma.
3. The Family Reunion Strain — After Japan surrenders, Roger returns home from Burma. His old-fashioned manner conflicts with Peggy's self-sufficiency and Rusty's Americanised outlook, while Charlie dislikes his returning father.
4. An Unwelcoming School — Rusty is sent to boarding school, where she struggles with strict teachers and pupils who mock her for being American. Her adjustment to life in England remains difficult.