Character Relationship Map: Next Time We Love

Characters

• Cicely Hunt Tyler (played by Margaret Sullavan) — protagonist
• Christopher Tyler (played by James Stewart) — supporting
• Tommy Abbott (played by Ray Milland) — supporting
• Frank Carteret (played by Robert McWade) — supporting
• Michael Jennings (played by Grant Mitchell) — supporting
• Madame Donato (played by Anna Demetrio) — supporting

Canonical Relationships

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

• Frank Carteret → Christopher Tyler (Professional Editor And Reporter) — Carteret first fires Christopher for abandoning his assignment, then gives him another opportunity as a foreign correspondent.

  Christopher cannot reach his editor, Frank Carteret, before leaving his Rome assignment; Carteret later dismisses him and subsequently offers him a Ru...

• Michael Jennings → Cicely Hunt Tyler (Professional Theatrical Mentor) — Michael provides Cicely with lines connected to her acting work.

  Cicely receives new lines from Michael Jennings as she works toward success in the theater.

• Tommy Abbott → Cicely Hunt Tyler (Romantic Unrequited Suitor) — Tommy's long-standing love becomes an explicit marriage proposal, leaving Cicely's response unresolved.

  Tommy tells Cicely that he has loved her for years and asks her to divorce Christopher and marry him; the account ends before she answers.

• Cicely Hunt Tyler → Christopher Tyler (Family Married Couple) — Their marriage is strained by career ambitions and repeated separations, but Cicely supports Christopher's journalism and his Russia assignment.

  The plot identifies Cicely as Christopher's wife and describes their affectionate farewell before they part for work.

Story Dynamics

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

• Madame Donato → Christopher Tyler (Social Bearer Of Family News) — Madame Donato's news prompts Christopher to leave his Rome post and rush home.

  Christopher hears from Madame Donato that Cicely is having a baby.

Story Analysis

Cicely and Christopher try to sustain their marriage while pursuing demanding careers, and Tommy's later proposal leaves Cicely's choice unresolved.

Plot Progression

1. A Farewell Between Ambitions — Christopher finds Cicely after she has checked out of the hotel, and they hurry to the station. Their affectionate parting introduces the strain of pursuing separate careers while remaining married.
2. The Rome Emergency — Cicely works toward theatrical success while Christopher reports from Rome. News that Cicely is having a baby sends him home, leaving his assignment without permission.
3. A Career Restored — Carteret dismisses Christopher after he abandons his post, and Christopher struggles to find work. Cicely appeals to Carteret on the grounds that Christopher belongs in journalism.
4. The Russia Assignment — Carteret offers Christopher a correspondent position in Russia, warning that it will mean long absences and little contact. Cicely supports the opportunity, and Christopher accepts.
5. Tommy's Unanswered Proposal — Years later, Tommy and Cicely discuss their lives and Christopher's plans. Tommy confesses his long-standing love and asks her to marry him, but the account leaves her decision unresolved.