Character Relationship Map: Sundown Slim

Characters

• Sundown Slim (played by Harry Carey) — protagonist

  A former hobo-poet who takes a job as cook at Jack Corliss's Concho cattle ranch. After Fadeaway insults Anita, Sundown retaliates. When Fadeaway persuades his pal Billy to rob a bank, Sundown takes t...

• Jack Corliss (played by J. Morris Foster) — supporting

  Jack Corliss owns the Concho cattle ranch, where Sundown begins work as a ranch cook after leaving his hobo-poet life. The ranch is involved in the broader conflict between cattlemen and sheepmen, tho...

• Loring (played by Duke R. Lee) — supporting

  Loring owns the sheep ranch adjoining Jack Corliss's Concho cattle ranch. His ownership places him on the sheep-ranch side of the conflict between sheepmen and cattlemen, though the plot summary does...

• Fadeaway (played by Charles Le Moyne) — supporting

  A bad cowboy, Fadeaway insults Anita, the daughter of the chief sheepherder, and Sundown retaliates. He later induces Billy, Sundown's pal, to rob a bank. Sundown takes the blame and goes to jail, set...

• Anita (played by Mignonne Golden) — supporting

  The daughter of the chief sheepherder, Anita is insulted by Fadeaway, prompting Sundown to retaliate. During the feud between sheepmen and cattlemen, she nurses Billy, and they come to care for each o...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Sundown Slim → Anita (Romantic Triangle) — Sundown has romantic feelings for Anita but ultimately gives way to her other attachment.

  After being released from jail, Sundown goes to Anita, recognizes her attachment to another person, and surrenders her rather than pursuing the relati...

• Sundown Slim → Jack Corliss (Professional Employer And Employee) — Jack employs Sundown as the cook on his cattle ranch.

  Sundown Slim leaves his hobo-poet life and starts work as the ranch cook at Jack Corliss's Concho cattle ranch.

Story Dynamics

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

• Anita → Loring (Social Sheep-Ranch Connection) — The plot connects Anita to the sheep-ranch community that Loring represents.

  Anita is identified as the daughter of the chief sheepherder, while Loring owns the adjoining sheep ranch.

• Sundown Slim → Loring (Conflict Factional Opponent) — Sundown is associated with the cattle-ranch side opposing Loring's sheep-ranch side.

  Sundown works at the cattle ranch during the feud between the cattlemen and the sheepmen, whose adjoining ranch is owned by Loring.

• Jack Corliss → Loring (Conflict Rival Ranch Owner) — Their ranches represent opposing sides in the cattlemen-sheepmen feud.

  Jack owns the Concho cattle ranch, while Loring owns the adjoining sheep ranch, and the story includes a feud between sheepmen and cattlemen.

• Fadeaway → Anita (Conflict Harasser) — Fadeaway antagonizes Anita through a direct insult.

  The plot states that Fadeaway, described as a bad cowboy, insults Anita.

• Sundown Slim → Fadeaway (Conflict Adversary) — Their conflict begins when Sundown retaliates for Fadeaway's insult toward Anita.

  Fadeaway insults Anita, and Sundown responds by exacting reprisal against him.

Story Analysis

A wandering man enters ranch life, accepts punishment for another's crime, and sacrifices his own romantic hopes before returning to solitude.

Plot Progression

1. From Wandering to Ranch Life — Sundown Slim leaves his hobo-poet existence and becomes the cook at Jack Corliss's cattle ranch. The adjoining sheep ranch and the larger cattlemen-sheepmen feud establish the central social tension.
2. An Insult Demands Reprisal — Fadeaway insults Anita, prompting Sundown to exact reprisal. The personal clash intensifies the already hostile ranch environment.
3. Blame Behind Bars — A bank robbery is arranged through Fadeaway's influence, and Sundown accepts the blame. He is sent to jail while the ranch feud continues outside.
4. Affection in the Feud — During Sundown's imprisonment, Anita nurses an injured person, and mutual care develops into affection. This emotional change reshapes Sundown's eventual return.
5. The Lone Trail Again — Sundown is released and goes to Anita, but recognizes that she has chosen another attachment. He surrenders her and returns to the lone trail.