Character Relationship Map: Alimony

Characters

• Marion Mason (played by Grace Darmond) — protagonist

  Wife of Jimmy Mason who sells his invention to Granville when he falls ill. She demands and receives a large alimony allowance, uses the money to rescue Jimmy from bankruptcy, and remarries him on her...

• Jimmy Mason (played by Warner Baxter) — supporting

  An inventor whose invention is sold by his wife when he falls ill. He is separated from Marion, goes broke after she claims alimony, but is eventually rescued and remarried by her.

• Granville (played by Clyde Fillmore) — supporting

  A wealthy oil man who purchases Jimmy's invention. He covets Marion and employs Gloria Du Bois to manipulate their marriage.

• Gloria Du Bois (played by Ruby Miller) — supporting

  An adventuress who helps Granville separate Marion from Jimmy by exploiting a supposed dalliance with another woman.

Canonical Relationships

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

• Granville → Jimmy Mason (Professional Business Buyer) — Granville acquires Jimmy's invention through Marion.

  When Jimmy becomes ill, Marion sells his invention to Granville, a wealthy oil man.

• Granville → Gloria Du Bois (Professional Employer) — Gloria acts on Granville's behalf in his scheme.

  Gloria Du Bois, described as an adventuress, helps Granville separate Marion from Jimmy.

• Marion Mason → Granville (Romantic Unwanted Suitor) — Granville's desire for Marion threatens her marriage.

  Granville purchases Jimmy's invention because he is wealthy and covets Marion.

• Marion Mason → Jimmy Mason (Family Wife) — They are married, separated, and eventually reunited.

  The review identifies Marion as Jimmy's wife and describes their separation and later remarriage.

Story Dynamics

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

• Gloria Du Bois → Jimmy Mason (Conflict Marriage Manipulator) — Her scheme indirectly undermines Jimmy's marriage.

  Gloria's actions contribute to the separation of Marion and Jimmy through the supposed dalliance.

• Gloria Du Bois → Marion Mason (Conflict Adversary) — Gloria manipulates circumstances that damage Marion's marriage.

  Gloria helps separate Marion from Jimmy by exploiting a supposed dalliance with another woman.

Story Analysis

A marriage is manipulated by ambition and suspicion, but financial reversal and personal agency lead the couple back together.

Plot Progression

1. Illness And Invention — Jimmy Mason, an inventor, and his wife Marion face desperate circumstances. When Jimmy becomes ill, Marion sells his invention to Granville for financial relief.
2. A Scheme Against Marriage — Granville covets Marion after buying Jimmy's invention. With Gloria Du Bois's help, he exploits a supposed dalliance to create suspicion and separate the couple.
3. The Cost Of Alimony — Following the separation, Marion demands and receives a huge alimony allowance. Jimmy goes broke as a result of the financial settlement.
4. Money Reverses Fate — Marion uses the money obtained through alimony to rescue Jimmy from bankruptcy. Her decision reestablishes his fortunes and changes the meaning of their separation.
5. Marriage On Marion's Terms — After restoring Jimmy's fortunes, Marion remarries him on her terms. The reunited couple ends the story facing a happy future together.