Character Relationship Map: Harvey

Characters

• Elwood P. Dowd (played by James Stewart) — protagonist

  Believes he is accompanied by an invisible six-foot rabbit named Harvey. He gives his card to strangers and is good at listening to people's problems. The film ends with him saying "I prefer you too,...

• Veta Louise Simmons (played by Josephine Hull) — protagonist

  Elwood's sister who is deeply concerned about his claim about Harvey and attempts to have him certified. She tries to marry off her daughter Myrtle Mae but feels Elwood's behavior hinders this goal. S...

• Miss Kelly (played by Peggy Dow) — supporting

  Assists Dr. Sanderson and Wilson during the assessment, participating in a confusion that leads to the wrongful detention of Veta instead of Elwood.

• Dr. Sanderson (played by Charles Drake) — supporting

  Assists Dr. Chumley in offering to assess Elwood. Participates in the confusion that results in detaining Veta instead of Elwood.

• Dr. Chumley (played by Cecil Kellaway) — supporting

  Consulted by Veta to assess Elwood. Discovers the medical staff detained the wrong sibling, fears a lawsuit from Judge Gaffney, and attempts to track down Elwood to correct the mistake.

• Myrtle Mae Simmons (played by Victoria Horne) — supporting

  Veta's daughter whose marriage prospects are reportedly held back by Elwood's constant conversations with Harvey.

Canonical Relationships

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

• Dr. Chumley → Veta Louise Simmons (Power Wrongful Detention Authority) — His institution's error places Veta under involuntary control.

  Dr. Chumley discovers that the medical staff detained the wrong sibling after Veta was taken instead of Elwood.

• Miss Kelly → Dr. Sanderson (Professional Assistant) — Miss Kelly supports the medical assessment process.

  Miss Kelly assists Dr. Sanderson during the assessment.

• Dr. Chumley → Elwood P. Dowd (Professional Medical Assessor) — Dr. Chumley treats Elwood as a subject requiring professional observation.

  Dr. Chumley learns about Elwood's association with Harvey and plans to bring him back for observation.

• Dr. Sanderson → Elwood P. Dowd (Professional Assessor) — Dr. Sanderson participates in the institutional response to Elwood.

  Dr. Sanderson becomes involved in assessing Elwood after Veta describes his behavior.

• Veta Louise Simmons → Dr. Sanderson (Professional Consulting Patient) — Veta seeks professional help to find a permanent solution for Elwood.

  Veta discusses Elwood's drinking, tavern visits, and attachment to Harvey with Dr. Sanderson.

• Veta Louise Simmons → Elwood P. Dowd (Family Sibling) — Veta is deeply concerned about Elwood's belief in Harvey and tries to have him assessed.

  The plot identifies Veta as Elwood's sister, and they share a house with Myrtle Mae Simmons.

• Elwood P. Dowd → Myrtle Mae Simmons (Family Uncle) — Elwood is Myrtle's uncle, and his behavior affects her social and marriage prospects.

  The plot establishes that Elwood is Veta's brother and Myrtle is Veta's daughter.

• Veta Louise Simmons → Myrtle Mae Simmons (Family Mother) — Veta and Myrtle are mother and daughter living together.

  The plot states that Veta shares the house with her daughter, Myrtle Mae Simmons.

Story Dynamics

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

• Miss Kelly → Veta Louise Simmons (Conflict Institutional Adversary) — Her involvement contributes to Veta's wrongful detention.

  Miss Kelly participates in the confusion that leads to Veta being detained instead of Elwood.

• Dr. Sanderson → Dr. Chumley (Alliance Professional Collaborator) — The doctors cooperate in the attempt to evaluate Elwood.

  The plot states that Dr. Sanderson assists Dr. Chumley in offering to assess Elwood.

Story Analysis

A family tries to control Elwood's invisible companion, only to confront the possibility that acceptance is wiser than forced conformity.

Plot Progression

1. A House Ruled By Harvey — Veta and Myrtle prepare for a formal gathering while trying to keep Elwood away. Elwood's conversations about Harvey create embarrassment, but Veta privately admits that she has also seen the rabbit.
2. Veta Seeks Authority — Veta turns to Dr. Sanderson for a permanent solution and describes Elwood's drinking and attachment to Harvey. The doctors begin treating Elwood's unusual friendship as a case for professional assessm...
3. The Institutional Mistake — Dr. Chumley plans to find Elwood and observe his behavior. Confusion during the assessment leads to Veta being detained instead, creating a serious reversal.
4. Elwood Reframes Reality — After discovering the mistake, Dr. Chumley tracks Elwood down. Elwood calmly describes Harvey's abilities and explains that he enjoys people, places, and his unusual way of living.
5. A Gentle Unresolved Ending — Elwood imagines a quiet camp near Akron and a personal conversation beneath a maple tree. The supplied dialogue ends before the central conflict receives a definite resolution, while the character pro...