Character Relationship Map: 101 Dalmatians

Characters

• Cruella de Vil (played by Glenn Close) — protagonist

  Vain, ruthless fashion designer obsessed with acquiring Dalmatian pelts for her coat.

• Roger (played by Jeff Daniels) — protagonist

  Musician and Anita's husband, owner of Dalmatians and protector of puppies.

• Anita (played by Joely Richardson) — supporting

  Roger's wife, fashion designer, and devoted Dalmatian owner.

• Nanny (played by Joan Plowright) — supporting

  Loyal caretaker for the Shepherd family and their dogs.

• Jasper (played by Hugh Laurie) — supporting

  Cruella's other bumbling henchman and accomplice.

• Horace (played by Mark Williams) — supporting

  Local resident or associate involved in the puppy plot.

Canonical Relationships

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

• Cruella de Vil → Horace (Power Employer And Henchman) — Horace acts under Cruella's authority in the kidnapping plot.

  Cruella sends Horace with Jasper to steal the puppies and later blames both men for their failure.

• Cruella de Vil → Jasper (Power Employer And Henchman) — Jasper carries out Cruella's criminal instructions.

  Cruella orders Jasper and Horace to break into Roger and Anita's home and steal the puppies.

• Anita → Cruella de Vil (Professional Employee And Employer) — Their professional relationship collapses when Cruella fires Anita.

  Anita works as a fashion designer at the House of de Vil, where Cruella is her boss.

• Roger → Nanny (Professional Household Employer) — Nanny is the household caretaker and a trusted support figure.

  Nanny lives with and cares for Roger and Anita's household and dogs, and is present when Anita shows Roger her portfolio.

• Roger → Anita (Romantic Spouse) — They are loving spouses whose family is threatened by Cruella.

  Anita falls in love with Roger, accepts his proposal, and later marries him.

Story Dynamics

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

• Anita → Horace (Conflict Family Adversary) — Horace becomes an enemy through the kidnapping of Anita's dogs.

  Horace participates in the theft of Anita's puppies and delivers them to Cruella's mansion.

• Anita → Jasper (Conflict Family Adversary) — Jasper's actions cause Anita severe personal and family distress.

  Jasper helps steal Anita's puppies while she and Roger are away walking the dogs.

• Horace → Roger (Conflict Kidnapping Adversary) — Horace is one of the immediate threats to Roger's household.

  Horace joins Jasper in stealing the puppies from Roger and Anita's home.

• Jasper → Roger (Conflict Kidnapping Adversary) — Jasper directly contributes to the attack on Roger's family.

  Jasper participates in breaking into Roger and Anita's home and stealing their litter of puppies.

• Jasper → Horace (Alliance Criminal Partners) — They function as a bumbling but coordinated criminal team.

  Jasper and Horace jointly break into the home, steal the puppies, and deliver them to De Vil Mansion.

• Roger → Cruella de Vil (Conflict Primary Adversaries) — Their conflict centers on the safety of the puppies.

  Cruella seeks to take Roger and Anita's puppies, while Roger helps report the kidnapping and protect the family.

• Anita → Nanny (Alliance Household Supporter) — They share responsibility for the household and its dogs.

  Anita discusses the puppy kidnapping and Cruella's possible involvement while Nanny is present.

Story Analysis

A young family confronts Cruella's attempt to turn their puppies into a fur coat and emerges with an even larger, happier home.

Plot Progression

1. Love Finds Its Way — Roger's rejected game establishes his creative frustration. A dog chase leads Roger to Anita, and their relationship quickly becomes a shared household and marriage.
2. A Dangerous Fashion Dream — Anita works under Cruella, whose obsession with fur intensifies after seeing Anita's spotted design. The pregnancies and birth of the puppies give Cruella a direct opportunity to pursue her scheme.
3. The Family Is Torn Apart — Cruella fires Anita after the rejected purchase offer and sends Jasper and Horace to steal the puppies. The stolen dogs are taken to De Vil Mansion for Cruella's planned coat.
4. The Bark Spreads — Roger and Anita seek help while the dogs communicate the emergency across the country. Anita identifies Cruella, and the puppies escape from the mansion toward a farm.
5. The Farmyard Victory — Cruella pursues the puppies after the henchmen fail and surrender. The farm animals stop her, the police make the arrest, and the family brings the dogs home.