Character Relationship Map: The Borrowers

Characters

• Professor Mildeye (played by Stephen Fry) — protagonist

  A London university professor specializing in "Homo sapiens redactus" (little people). He transitions from a curious researcher to the primary antagonist, seeking to capture the Borrowers for academic...

• Arrietty Clock (played by Aisling Loftus) — supporting

  The curious and brave protagonist, daughter of Pod and Homily. Her friendship with James and adventures with Spiller bridge the human and Borrower worlds, leading to her personal growth and ultimate c...

• Spiller (played by Robert Sheehan) — supporting

  A street-smart, biker-type youth and de facto leader among the urban Borrowers in City Road tube station. He harbors a tragic past involving sacrificing his niece but proves himself a brave and loyal...

• James (played by Charlie Hiscock) — supporting

  The inventive and compassionate grandson of Granny Driver. He bridges the gap between humans and Borrowers, actively helping them evade capture, build a model plane, and navigate the climax.

• Jenny (played by Anne Hirsch) — supporting

  Professor Mildeye's lab assistant. She assists in capturing the Borrowers and attempts to apprehend Spiller during the escape but fails.

Canonical Relationships

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

• Professor Mildeye → Jenny (Professional Research Partners) — Jenny assists Mildeye's investigation and containment operation.

  Mildeye and Jenny set an array of traps together and work in the laboratory during the attempted capture.

• Arrietty Clock → Spiller (Romantic Interest) — Their dangerous journey develops into mutual affection.

  Arrietty and Spiller become friendlier after he guides her family, and Arrietty finally admits that she likes him.

Story Dynamics

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

• Spiller → Professor Mildeye (Conflict Escape Opponent) — Spiller helps undermine Mildeye's attempt to capture and display the Borrowers.

  Spiller helps Arrietty reach the laboratory and is specifically pursued by Jenny during the escape from Mildeye's operation.

• James → Spiller (Alliance Rescue Ally) — James provides practical support during the final rescue.

  James helps Spiller and Arrietty fly over the conference venue and later carries the escaping Borrowers inside his rucksack.

• James → Professor Mildeye (Conflict Deceiver) — James uses deception and improvisation against Mildeye.

  James tells Mildeye about other little-people communities to distract him and secretly places a modified remote-control car in a vent.

• Jenny → Spiller (Conflict Pursuer) — Their direct opposition forms part of the escape sequence.

  During the laboratory escape, Jenny tries to catch Spiller but fails.

• Professor Mildeye → Arrietty Clock (Conflict Capturer) — Mildeye's research pursuit makes him Arrietty's principal human adversary.

  Mildeye sets traps for the Clocks, captures them, and later chases the escaping Borrowers through the building.

• Arrietty Clock → James (Social Friend) — Their friendship connects the human household with the Borrower community.

  James sees Arrietty and becomes friends with her despite the secrecy surrounding the Borrowers.

Story Analysis

A hidden Borrower family faces exposure, while friendship and courage unite human and Borrower allies against exploitation.

Plot Progression

1. Secrets Beneath The House — The Clock family lives beneath the Driver-Millman house while Arrietty forms a friendship with James. Mrs Driver's discovery of missing objects brings the hidden Borrowers closer to exposure.
2. Flight Into The Sewers — The compromised Borrower home forces the Clocks into the sewers and toward the urban community at City Road tube station. Spiller becomes involved after a dangerous meeting and is hired to guide them.
3. The Trap And The Capture — Mildeye and Jenny place traps around the former home, catching Arrietty's parents when they save her. James secretly obstructs Mildeye while Arrietty struggles to find a way to rescue her family.
4. A Dangerous Rescue Plan — Spiller saves Arrietty from a street-cleaning vehicle and reveals the sacrifice that shaped his exile. They return to James and prepare to challenge Mildeye's public presentation.
5. Escape From The Exhibition — James helps Arrietty and Spiller infiltrate the conference venue using a model plane, parachutes, and a modified remote-control car. The Borrowers escape through the laboratory while Mildeye and Jenny...
6. A New Borrower Journey — Mildeye's conference fails, and the gold coin helps James and his family save their home. Arrietty chooses to return to the Borrower city with Spiller while preserving her connection to James.