Character Relationship Map: Whity

Characters

• Whity (played by Günther Kaufmann) — protagonist

  Son of the black cook Marpessa, Whity serves as the family butler. Despite his capability, he endures humiliation and whipping. He forms a close friendship with Hanna and ultimately murders the entire...

• Frank Nicholson (played by Ulli Lommel) — protagonist

  One of Ben's sons from his first marriage. He is gay and, along with Katherine, attempts to manipulate Whity into assassinating Ben to secure the ranch inheritance.

• Davy Nicholson (played by Harry Baer) — supporting

  One of Ben's sons from his first marriage, described as an unfortunate half-wit who resides in the Nicholson household.

• Hanna (played by Hanna Schygulla) — supporting

  A town saloon singer and prostitute who maintains a close friendship with Whity. She witnesses the murder of Garcia, accepts payment for her silence, and eventually flees with Whity into the desert.

• Benjamin Nicholson (played by Ron Randell) — supporting

  The richest and toughest rancher in the area, and the father of Frank, Davy, and Whity. He orchestrates a scheme to trap his wife Katherine, later murders the conspirator Garcia, and is ultimately kil...

• Katherine Nicholson (played by Katrin Schaake) — supporting

  Ben's second wife, characterized as a flirtatious intriguer who outwits her husband. She is seduced by a fake physician arranged by Ben, and later attempts to persuade Whity to murder Ben for the inhe...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Benjamin Nicholson → Hanna (Power Silence Buyer) — Benjamin uses money to control Hanna's response to the murder.

  After learning that Hanna witnessed the killing of the supposed physician, Benjamin pays her for her silence.

• Katherine Nicholson → Davy Nicholson (Family Stepmother) — Katherine is Davy's stepmother within the household.

  Katherine is Benjamin's second wife, while Davy is Benjamin's son from his previous marriage.

• Frank Nicholson → Davy Nicholson (Family Brother) — Frank and Davy are brothers within the Nicholson family.

  Frank and Davy are both identified as Benjamin's sons from his first marriage.

• Benjamin Nicholson → Katherine Nicholson (Family Husband) — Benjamin and Katherine are married but locked in manipulation and distrust.

  Katherine is explicitly described as Benjamin's second wife.

• Benjamin Nicholson → Whity (Family Father) — Benjamin is Whity's father, although Whity occupies a servant role in the household.

  Whity is described as the third son in the household, born to the black cook and fathered within Benjamin's family.

• Benjamin Nicholson → Davy Nicholson (Family Father) — Benjamin is Davy's father.

  The plot identifies Davy as one of Benjamin's sons from his previous marriage.

• Benjamin Nicholson → Frank Nicholson (Family Father) — Benjamin is Frank's father within the Nicholson household.

  The plot identifies Frank as Benjamin's son from his first marriage.

Story Dynamics

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

• Whity → Katherine Nicholson (Conflict Manipulated Target) — Katherine's manipulation contributes directly to Whity's final violent decision.

  Katherine also attempts to persuade Whity to murder Benjamin before Whity ultimately kills her.

• Whity → Frank Nicholson (Conflict Manipulated Target) — Frank treats Whity as an instrument in his inheritance plan.

  Frank tries to get Whity to assassinate Benjamin for the sake of the ranch inheritance.

• Katherine Nicholson → Frank Nicholson (Stepfamily Alliance) — Katherine and Frank cooperate around an inheritance-driven assassination scheme.

  Both Katherine and Frank try to persuade Whity to kill Benjamin so they can obtain the ranch inheritance.

• Whity → Hanna (Social Close Friend) — Hanna is Whity's main source of companionship and emotional support.

  Whity's hope for decency lies in his friendship with Hanna, and she offers to take him east with her.

Story Analysis

A humiliated household servant breaks from a murderous family system and escapes into an unforgiving desert with his closest friend.

Plot Progression

1. A Servant Within The Family — The Nicholson ranch is introduced as a wealthy but oppressive household. Whity serves as butler while enduring humiliation, and Hanna offers him a possible escape.
2. A Dangerous Marital Scheme — Benjamin counters Katherine's intrigues by arranging a false physician scheme. The deception succeeds, but Benjamin kills the conspirator rather than paying him.
3. Inheritance And Manipulation — Hanna witnesses the murder and is paid for her silence. Frank and Katherine then pressure Whity to kill Benjamin so they can secure the ranch inheritance.
4. Whity Breaks The Household — After repeated humiliation and competing assassination attempts, Whity decides to act. He shoots all four Nicholsons and escapes the ranch.
5. Desert Flight At Sunset — Whity flees with Hanna into the desert after taking and losing her money. They run out of water and dance together beneath the setting sun.