Character Relationship Map: Wanda Nevada

Characters

• Beaudray Demerille (played by Peter Fonda) — protagonist

  The protagonist, a drifter and gambler who becomes Wanda's reluctant guardian and eventual romantic partner on a dangerous quest for gold.

• Wanda Nevada (played by Brooke Shields) — protagonist

  A 13-year-old orphan with dreams of singing who becomes entangled in a perilous adventure, developing a deep emotional bond with Demerille.

• Dorothy Deerfield (played by Fiona Lewis) — supporting

  A Life magazine photographer who travels with Demerille and Wanda through the canyon, sharing personal stories and a brief romantic connection with Demerille.

• Ruby Muldoon (played by Luke Askew) — supporting

  A cynical con man who partners with Strap to harass and murder Texas Curly, then relentlessly pursues the protagonists for the gold mine map.

• Strap Pangburn (played by Ted Markland) — supporting

  A ruthless criminal who collaborates with Ruby to steal a gold mine map and tracks the protagonists through the Grand Canyon.

Canonical Relationships

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

• Beaudray Demerille → Dorothy Deerfield (Brief Romantic Connection) — Their brief attraction creates jealousy and tension with Wanda.

  Beaudray and Dorothy try to get better acquainted in her tent after dinner.

• Beaudray Demerille → Wanda Nevada (Power Reluctant Guardian) — Their relationship develops from unwanted responsibility into mutual dependence.

  Beaudray initially wins Wanda in a card game, but she stays with him and he protects her during the journey.

Story Dynamics

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

• Ruby Muldoon → Wanda Nevada (Conflict Threatening Pursuer) — Ruby contributes to the danger surrounding Wanda's flight.

  Ruby helps pursue Wanda after the prospector's death and joins the later demand for the gold.

• Strap Pangburn → Wanda Nevada (Conflict Threatening Pursuer) — Strap repeatedly endangers Wanda during the pursuit.

  Strap sees Wanda near the car after the prospector's death and later confronts her and Beaudray while holding them at gunpoint.

• Ruby Muldoon → Beaudray Demerille (Conflict Armed Adversary) — Ruby is one of the principal human obstacles to Beaudray's escape.

  Ruby follows Beaudray's group into the canyon and participates in the armed confrontation over the mined gold.

• Strap Pangburn → Beaudray Demerille (Conflict Armed Adversary) — Strap directly threatens Beaudray during the gold dispute.

  Strap and Ruby follow Beaudray and Wanda, confront them at gunpoint, and demand the gold.

• Ruby Muldoon → Strap Pangburn (Alliance Criminal Partner) — They function as a coordinated criminal pair.

  Ruby and Strap work together to harass the prospector, pursue the mine map, and track Beaudray and Wanda.

• Wanda Nevada → Dorothy Deerfield (Conflict Jealous Rivalry) — Wanda views Dorothy as a threat to her bond with Beaudray.

  Wanda interrupts Beaudray and Dorothy in the tent because she is jealous of their private conversation.

Story Analysis

A drifter and a young orphan survive pursuit, danger, and supernatural threats while their bond grows during a gold expedition.

Plot Progression

1. A Dangerous Card Wager — Beaudray wins Wanda in a card game, but she stays with him after the wager. A prospector's mine story, murder, and dropped pouch draw them into a dangerous pursuit.
2. The Map Into Darkness — Beaudray and Wanda discover a mine map and exchange their car for canyon supplies. They enter the Grand Canyon while two criminals follow their trail.
3. Love Above The Cave — The travelers meet Dorothy, whose brief connection with Beaudray provokes Wanda's jealousy. Wanda's fall leads to a mutual declaration of love and the discovery of gold.
4. Gold Under Pursuit — Beaudray and Wanda mine the cave but lose their mules and discard the gold to avoid unseen attackers. Ruby and Strap then confront them at gunpoint.
5. The River And The Arrow — The pair finds the criminals crucified, recovers the gold, and escapes by boat. A glowing arrow nearly kills Beaudray before the lovers reach a hopeful final escape.