Character Relationship Map: The Sting

Characters

• Henry Gondorff (played by Paul Newman) — protagonist

  Master con artist and mentor figure who orchestrates elaborate grifts against crime bosses.

• Johnny Hooker (played by Robert Redford) — protagonist

  Young, ambitious grifter seeking mentorship and revenge after his partner is murdered.

• Doyle Lonnegan (played by Robert Shaw) — supporting

  Ruthless Irish-American crime boss and gambler, primary target of the first con.

• Loretta (played by Dimitra Arliss) — supporting

  Associate connected to the con operations, likely involved in the brothel front.

• Luther Coleman (played by Robert Earl Jones) — minor

  Hooker's partner murdered early on, whose death drives the plot.

• Kid Twist (played by Harold Gould) — supporting

  Experienced con man recruited to help execute the wire scam.

Key Relationships

• Kid Twist → Doyle Lonnegan (Conflict Deceiver)
• Henry Gondorff → Doyle Lonnegan (Conflict Arch Enemy)
• Henry Gondorff → Loretta (Social Associate)
• Johnny Hooker → Loretta (Romantic Lover)
• Doyle Lonnegan → Luther Coleman (Conflict Enemy)
• Johnny Hooker → Doyle Lonnegan (Conflict Arch Enemy)
• Johnny Hooker → Kid Twist (Alliance Teammate)
• Henry Gondorff → Kid Twist (Alliance Teammate)
• Johnny Hooker → Henry Gondorff (Alliance Partner)
• Johnny Hooker → Luther Coleman (Alliance Teammate)

Story Analysis

A masterful tale of deception where a young grifter and a seasoned mentor orchestrate an elaborate multi-layered scam to defeat a ruthless crime boss.

Plot Progression

1. The Joliet Setup
2. Chicago Recruitment
3. The Train Heist
4. The Deadly Gamble
5. The Grand Sting