Character Relationship Map: Clarence

Characters

• Clarence Smith (played by Roscoe Karns) — protagonist

  Clarence is a good-natured man who is mistaken for a cab driver and drives Mr. Wheeler home. He offers his handyman services, earns the Wheeler family's trust by convincing them of his honorable inten...

• Mr. Wheeler (played by Eugene Pallette) — supporting

  Mr. Wheeler is the head of the family Clarence drives home after being mistaken for a cab driver. He lets Clarence offer his handyman services, and the family comes to trust Clarence. He dislikes Tobi...

• Della (played by Inez Courtney) — supporting

  Della is the Wheeler family's housemaid. She blackmails Bobbie, Mr. Wheeler's son, who is in love with Violet. This puts her in conflict with Bobbie and makes his private romantic situation one of the...

• Bobbie (played by Johnny Downs) — supporting

  Bobbie is Mr. Wheeler's son. He is in love with his girlfriend Violet, but their relationship is complicated when the housemaid Della blackmails him. His secret is among the matters the Wheeler family...

• Violet (played by Charlotte Wynters) — supporting

  Violet is Bobbie's girlfriend, and Bobbie is in love with her. Their relationship is affected by Della's blackmail of Bobbie, making Violet part of the secret involving Mr. Wheeler's son that the fami...

• Tobias (played by Theodore von Eltz) — supporting

  Tobias is Cora Wheeler's older beau, whom her father dislikes. He tries to plant suspicions in the Wheeler family's minds by claiming Clarence is a con man intent on swindling them, but Clarence convi...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Mr. Wheeler → Della (Professional Employer And Housemaid) — Della serves in the Wheeler household while possessing knowledge of Bobbie's secret.

  Della is identified as the housemaid connected to the Wheeler household.

• Bobbie → Violet (Romantic Lover) — Bobbie and Violet are an established romantic couple.

  The plot explicitly states that Bobbie is in love with his girlfriend Violet.

• Clarence Smith → Mr. Wheeler (Professional Driver And Passenger) — Their first interaction begins as a mistaken transportation service.

  Clarence is mistaken for a cab driver and drives Mr. Wheeler home.

• Mr. Wheeler → Bobbie (Family Father) — Mr. Wheeler is Bobbie's father within the Wheeler family.

  Bobbie is explicitly described as Wheeler's son.

Story Dynamics

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

• Tobias → Mr. Wheeler (Conflict Distrusted Suitor) — Mr. Wheeler disapproves of Tobias and does not welcome his relationship with the family.

  Tobias is described as an older beau whom Wheeler dislikes.

• Clarence Smith → Bobbie (Social Confidant) — Clarence becomes aware of Bobbie's private romantic and personal difficulties.

  The family trusts Clarence with secrets, including Bobbie's love for Violet and his blackmail by Della.

• Tobias → Clarence Smith (Conflict Accuser) — Tobias directly undermines Clarence's reputation and intentions.

  Tobias plants the idea that Clarence is a con man who wants to swindle the family.

• Della → Bobbie (Conflict Blackmailer) — Della uses secret information to pressure Bobbie.

  Bobbie is described as being blackmailed by the housemaid Della.

Story Analysis

A good-natured handyman earns a family's trust while overcoming suspicion and exposing the limits of manipulation.

Plot Progression

1. A Stranger at the Door — Clarence is mistaken for a cab driver and brings Mr. Wheeler home. He then offers his services as a capable handyman, establishing his place in the household.
2. Secrets Behind Familiar Faces — The Wheeler household gets to know Clarence and begins to trust him. He becomes aware of Bobbie's love for Violet and the pressure created by Della's blackmail.
3. Suspicion Takes Root — Tobias's presence is complicated by Mr. Wheeler's dislike of him. Tobias then turns the family's attention toward Clarence by suggesting that he is a con man.
4. Honor on Trial — Clarence faces the accusation that he intends to swindle the family. He defends his intentions and gradually convinces the household that he is honorable.
5. Trust and Affection — Tobias's suspicion fails as Clarence's character is accepted. Clarence also wins the affection of Wheeler's daughter, completing his personal and social rise within the household.