Mary Lane (played by Margaret Sullavan) is a protagonist in Only Yesterday.
Central protagonist who had an affair with James during WWI. She secretly raises their son, Jimmy Jr., alone, becomes a successful shop owner, and turns down multiple proposals from suitor Dave Reynolds. After reuniting with James on New Year's Eve 1929, she dies of heart trouble and leaves a letter asking James to become Jimmy Jr.'s parent. Dave Reynolds (played by George Meeker) appears in Only Yesterday.
A suitor clearly fond of Mary who proposes multiple times. Mary politely declines his proposals. James Jr. encourages Mary to accept Dave's marriage proposal for her own happiness, though she ultimately remains independent.
Only Yesterday (1933) character relationship network mapped with AI analysis. Explore the connections, alliances, and conflicts between characters.
Characters
Mary Lane
(played by Margaret Sullavan) — protagonist
Central protagonist who had an affair with James during WWI. She secretly raises their son, Jimmy Jr., alone, becomes a successful shop owner, and turns down multiple proposals from suitor Dave Reynol...
Dave Reynolds
(played by George Meeker) — supporting
A suitor clearly fond of Mary who proposes multiple times. Mary politely declines his proposals. James Jr. encourages Mary to accept Dave's marriage proposal for her own happiness, though she ultimate...
Canonical Relationships
Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.
Mary Lane → Dave Reynolds
(Romantic Suitor)
Story Analysis
A poignant exploration of lost love, solitary motherhood, and the redemptive power of revealed truth across two decades.
