Character Relationship Map: This Modern Age

Characters

• Valentine 'Val' Winters (played by Joan Crawford) — protagonist

  Protagonist and daughter of Diane. After her father's death, she travels to Paris to reconnect with her estranged mother. She befriends Tony, survives a car wreck, and falls in love with Bob. Initiall...

• Diane 'Di' Winters (played by Pauline Frederick) — protagonist

  Val's sophisticated but estranged mother, living as André's mistress in Paris after losing custody. Initially distant, she reconnects with Val but faces André's ultimatum. To secure Val's future with...

• Robert 'Bob' Blake Jr. (played by Neil Hamilton) — supporting

  A Harvard football player who rescues Val and Tony from a car accident. He falls deeply in love with Val and tries to rush their marriage to protect her from her mother's deception. Initially influenc...

• Tony Girard (played by Monroe Owsley) — supporting

  A charismatic but alcoholic member of Diane's social circle. He meets Val in Paris and gets involved in a car accident with her. Despite his romantic interest in Val, he plays a supporting role in her...

• André de Graignon (played by Albert Conti) — supporting

  A wealthy Parisian man hosting Diane as his mistress. He grows resentful of his life being put on hold for Val's sake and demands Diane leave his home. His ultimatum triggers Diane's ultimate decision...

• Robert Blake Sr. (played by Hobart Bosworth) — supporting
• Margaret Blake (played by Emma Dunn) — supporting

Canonical Relationships

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

• Margaret Blake → Robert 'Bob' Blake Jr. (Family Mother) — Her family judgment helps create the obstacle between Bob and Val.

  Margaret is included among Bob's parents who meet Val and disapprove of her circumstances.

• Robert Blake Sr. → Robert 'Bob' Blake Jr. (Family Father) — His disapproval contributes to Bob's initial prejudice.

  The plot refers to Bob's parents, including Robert Blake Sr., when Bob invites them to meet Val.

• Tony Girard → Valentine 'Val' Winters (Romantic Unrequited Suitor) — Tony's attraction complicates Val's social and romantic environment.

  Tony remains smitten with Val and visits her after she moves into the smaller apartment.

• Valentine 'Val' Winters → Robert 'Bob' Blake Jr. (Romantic Love Interest) — Their romance is the film's principal young relationship.

  Bob rescues Val after the car wreck, and the two fall in love.

• Diane 'Di' Winters → André de Graignon (Romantic Mistress And Patron) — Their relationship provides Diane's social position but remains unstable.

  Diane is living in Paris as André's mistress, and André hosts her in his house.

• Valentine 'Val' Winters → Diane 'Di' Winters (Family Daughter And Mother) — Their mother-daughter bond drives the central emotional conflict.

  The plot identifies Diane as Val's mother and states that Val travels to Paris to reunite with her after years apart.

Story Dynamics

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

• Diane 'Di' Winters → Robert 'Bob' Blake Jr. (Narrative Indirect Reconciler) — Diane's actions indirectly enable the lovers' reunion.

  Diane's final visit to Bob and her explanation of the sacrifice she made causes him to reject his parents' attitude and return to Val.

• Margaret Blake → Diane 'Di' Winters (Conflict Rejected Petition) — Margaret participates in the rejection that damages Diane's Paris reputation.

  Diane visits Bob's parents to beg for mercy for Val, but they reject her entreaties.

• Robert Blake Sr. → Valentine 'Val' Winters (Conflict Disapproving Parent) — Robert's social judgment threatens Val's relationship with Bob.

  Bob's parents do not approve of Val's association with Tony and her mother's living arrangement.

Story Analysis

A young woman struggles between loyalty to her estranged mother and love for a man whose family judges her by her mother's reputation.

Plot Progression

1. A Daughter Returns to Paris — Val travels to Paris after her father's death to reconnect with Diane. She enters Diane's social circle and meets Tony before a car wreck introduces Bob.
2. Love Under Social Pressure — Bob and Val fall in love after the rescue. Bob's parents disapprove of Val's social environment and Diane's living arrangement.
3. The Mother's Secret — Bob overhears André's ultimatum and tries to accelerate his marriage plans with Val. When he reveals the truth, Val chooses Diane and rejects him.
4. A Smaller Home — Diane confesses the truth, but Val remains loyal and moves with her into a smaller apartment. Tony continues to visit Val while Diane secretly reconnects with André.
5. Departure and Reconciliation — Diane announces that she will leave with André, devastating Val. Her explanation to Bob changes his view of his parents and leads to his reunion with Val.