Character Relationship Map: The Bad Boy

Characters

• Jimmie Bates (played by Robert Harron) — protagonist

  Jimmie is a troubled small-town youth who repeatedly gets into trouble with pranks. After his father beats him, he runs away and becomes involved with a gang of thieves, serving time in jail. Though h...

• Mr. Bates (played by Richard Cummings) — protagonist

  Mr. Bates is Jimmie's father. Exasperated by his son's repeated antics, he beats Jimmie severely, prompting the boy to run away from home. Later, Jimmie seeks to vindicate himself to his parents after...

• Mary (played by Mildred Harris) — supporting

  Mary is the young woman Jimmie deeply loves. After he is wounded and escapes from jail, she hides him in her home and nurses him back to health. Jimmie later seeks her out after the robbery accusation...

• Ruth (played by Colleen Moore) — minor

  Ruth is a young woman described as more outgoing and worldly than Mary. Although Jimmie is deeply in love with Mary, he spurns Mary's affection in favor of Ruth. The summary identifies this romantic c...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Jimmie Bates → Ruth (Romantic Rejected Alternative) — Ruth temporarily displaces Mary in Jimmie's romantic choice.

  Jimmie spurns Mary's affection for the more outgoing and worldly Ruth.

• Jimmie Bates → Mr. Bates (Family Son) — Jimmie is Mr. Bates's troubled son.

  The plot identifies Mr. Bates as Jimmie's father and shows Jimmie living in his family home.

• Jimmie Bates → Mary (Romantic True Love) — Mary is presented as Jimmie's enduring romantic attachment.

  The plot states that Jimmie is deeply in love with Mary and later seeks her after escaping from jail.

Story Analysis

A troubled youth moves from reckless behavior and wrongful suspicion toward moral reform, vindication, and family redemption.

Plot Progression

1. Pranks and Broken Affections — Jimmie is introduced as a well-intentioned but troublesome youth. His love for Mary is complicated when he chooses the more worldly Ruth.
2. Flight From Home — Mr. Bates's severe punishment drives Jimmie away from home. On the run, Jimmie becomes involved with thieves and eventually serves a jail sentence.
3. The Test of Reform — Jimmie vows to turn over a new leaf after completing his sentence. When the gang targets his hometown bank, he tries to prevent the robbery.
4. Suspect and Refugee — Jimmie is wounded and arrested as the suspected robber. He escapes, reaches Mary, and receives shelter and medical care in her home.
5. Proof and Redemption — After recovering, Jimmie pursues the actual perpetrator and captures him in Mr. Bates's yard. The confession clears Jimmie and restores his family standing.