Character Relationship Map: The Rainbow

Characters

• Ursula Brangwen (played by Sammi Davis) — protagonist

  Ursula Brangwen is the eldest child of wealthy Derbyshire farmer Will Brangwen and his wife Anna. The narrative follows her romantic relationships with Winifred Inger and Anton Skrebensky, her trouble...

• Anton Skrebensky (played by Paul McGann) — protagonist

  Anton Skrebensky is a student at a nearby boys' high school who plans to enlist in the Army. He becomes Ursula Brangwen's male romantic partner, leaves to fight in the Second Boer War, later returns a...

• Winifred Inger (played by Amanda Donohoe) — supporting

  Winifred Inger is Ursula Brangwen's older swimming and gym teacher and first major romantic partner. She shares intimate weekends and outdoor excursions with Ursula, but accepts Uncle Henry's marriage...

• Will Brangwen (played by Christopher Gable) — supporting

  Will Brangwen is Ursula Brangwen's father and a wealthy farmer in Derbyshire. When Ursula is a small child, he tries to humor her fascination with rainbows by preparing a jam sandwich with differently...

• Uncle Henry (played by David Hemmings) — supporting

  Uncle Henry is Will Brangwen's wealthy older brother. During Ursula's visit to him, he becomes attracted to Winifred Inger and proposes marriage after a short courtship. His marriage to Winifred contr...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Will Brangwen → Uncle Henry (Family Brothers) — Their sibling relationship establishes the family connection between Ursula and Uncle Henry.

  Uncle Henry is explicitly described as Will Brangwen's wealthy older brother.

• Uncle Henry → Ursula Brangwen (Family Uncle) — He is Ursula's paternal uncle and becomes connected to her life through Winifred.

  Uncle Henry is identified as Ursula's father's wealthy older brother.

• Uncle Henry → Winifred Inger (Romantic Husband) — Their marriage separates Winifred from Ursula and creates jealousy in Ursula.

  Uncle Henry becomes smitten with Winifred, proposes to her, and later appears married to her with a baby.

• Ursula Brangwen → Anton Skrebensky (Romantic Partner) — Anton is Ursula's major romantic counterpart, but she rejects marriage to preserve her independence.

  Ursula develops romantic feelings for Anton, later consummates the relationship, and is asked by him to marry.

• Ursula Brangwen → Winifred Inger (Romantic Partner) — Their relationship is intimate but ends when Winifred chooses marriage to Uncle Henry.

  During her teenage years, Ursula enters a same-sex romance with her swimming and gym teacher, Winifred Inger.

• Will Brangwen → Ursula Brangwen (Family Father) — Will is Ursula's father and an important source of emotional support.

  The plot identifies Will Brangwen as Ursula's father and shows him caring for her childhood fascination with rainbows.

Story Analysis

Ursula Brangwen repeatedly confronts love, social constraint, and personal crisis while pursuing an independent path toward renewal.

Plot Progression

1. The Child And The Rainbow — Young Ursula grows up on the Brangwen farm with a powerful fascination with rainbows. Her father responds affectionately, while adolescence introduces her to Winifred and Anton.
2. Love And Abandonment — Ursula and Winifred begin a passionate relationship, but Winifred marries Uncle Henry after their visit to his estate. Anton's departure for war leaves Ursula increasingly isolated.
3. The Cruel Classroom — Ursula attempts to build a teaching career in London's East End. Poverty, disorder, the headmaster's advances, and her own violent loss of control force her to abandon the school.
4. Return And Refusal — Back at the family farm, Ursula reunites with Anton and briefly renews their romance. Her union work and refusal of marriage show her determination to choose an independent future.
5. Storm Before Renewal — An attack, a rain-soaked hiding place, and Anton's telegram push Ursula to an emotional breaking point. After speaking with Will, she chooses another teaching position and runs toward a new rainbow.