Character Relationship Map: Deep Valley

Characters

• Libby Saul (played by Ida Lupino) — protagonist

  Libby Saul is a young woman living on an isolated farm with her parents, serving as their messenger because they no longer speak directly. She secretly watches the road crew, falls in love with Barry...

• Barry Burnette (played by Dane Clark) — supporting

  Barry Burnette is a handsome young convict whom Libby secretly watches and comes to love. After striking the foreman, he is being returned to prison when he escapes and seeks Libby's help. They plan t...

• Jeff Barker (played by Wayne Morris) — supporting

  Jeff Barker is a former Army engineer working with the road crew and later joins the posse searching for Barry Burnette. He explains Barry's expected return to prison, shows romantic interest in Libby...

• Convict (played by Bob Lowell) — supporting

Canonical Relationships

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

• Barry Burnette → Convict (Professional Workmate) — Barry belongs to the same road-building work group as the convict characters.

  Barry is among the convicts building a road along the coastline, alongside the other named convicts.

• Jeff Barker → Convict (Professional Coworker) — Jeff shares the road-building assignment with the convict group.

  Jeff is described as an engineer working with the convicts on the coastal road.

• Libby Saul → Jeff Barker (Romantic Suitor) — Jeff is presented as a possible romantic alternative to Barry.

  Mrs. Saul hopes Barker will take an interest in Libby and eventually marry her. Barker asks Libby to go dancing, but she is too shy to accept.

• Libby Saul → Barry Burnette (Romantic Interest) — Libby's interest in Barry develops into a tragic love relationship.

  Libby repeatedly watches the convicts because she is particularly interested in Barry Burnette. Later, she and Burnette plan to elope, fall deeply in...

Story Dynamics

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

• Libby Saul → Convict (Social Observer) — Libby initially relates to the convict group as a secret observer.

  Libby encounters the group of convicts and returns for several days to watch them from a distance.

• Barry Burnette → Jeff Barker (Conflict Adversary) — Jeff becomes an active pursuer and obstacle to Barry's freedom.

  Barker tells Libby that Burnette will be sent back to San Quentin for attacking the foreman. Later, Barker joins the posse searching for Burnette and...

Story Analysis

A lonely young woman escapes an oppressive home life and finds tragic love with an escaped convict before rebuilding her life.

Plot Progression

1. The Farm and the Convicts — Libby lives under the strain of her parents' silence and acts as their intermediary. Her secret visits to the coastal road works begin her fascination with Barry Burnette.
2. A Love Threatened by Authority — Burnette's confrontation with the foreman places his freedom in danger. Barker's visit creates a possible romantic alternative for Libby, but he also reveals that Burnette will be returned to San Quen...
3. Flight into the Storm — After being slapped, Libby leaves the farm and takes refuge in a nearby cabin. Burnette's escape brings the two together, and his confession deepens their emotional connection.
4. The Barn of Secrets — Libby and Burnette plan to flee to San Francisco, but Libby's return to the farm reveals that her parents have reconciled. The arrival of the posse traps her between her family, Barker, and Burnette.
5. The Last Pursuit — Libby protects Burnette from discovery until the couple is confronted. Burnette escapes in a truck, but the pursuit ends with his death, after which Libby and Barker make a new start.