Character Relationship Map: Omar the Tentmaker

Characters

• Omar the tentmaker (played by Guy Bates Post) — protagonist

  A scholar and outcast known for his radical writings and improved solar calendar. Secretly married to Shireen, he is arrested for harboring a Christian Crusader. After being rescued by his wife and a...

• Shireen (played by Virginia Brown Faire) — supporting

  Omar's secret wife who is forcibly taken to the Shah's harem. After refusing the Shah's advances, she is imprisoned and gives birth to Little Shireen. She eventually escapes, recognizes Omar during hi...

• Shah's mother (played by Rose Dione) — supporting
• Little Shireen (played by Patsy Ruth Miller) — supporting

  The daughter of Omar and Shireen, born in prison. She is secretly smuggled out and brought to Omar, though he is initially unaware that she is his child.

• The shah of shahs (played by Noah Beery) — supporting

  The ruler who desires Shireen and forcibly brings her to his harem. When she repulses him, he orders her imprisonment. His actions set the main conflict in motion.

• The Christian Crusader (as Maurice B. Flynn) (played by Maurice 'Lefty' Flynn) — supporting
• Omar's father (as Edward M. Kimball) (played by Edward Kimball) — supporting

Canonical Relationships

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

• Omar's father (as Edward M. Kimball) → Omar the tentmaker (father)
• Shah's mother → The shah of shahs (mother)
• Shireen → Little Shireen (Family Mother) — Shireen's imprisonment and escape are directly connected to protecting her daughter.

  Shireen gives birth to a daughter, Little Shireen, while imprisoned.

• Omar the tentmaker → Little Shireen (Family Father) — Omar is Little Shireen's unaware biological father.

  Little Shireen is described as the daughter of Omar and Shireen, although Omar initially does not know the baby's identity.

• Omar the tentmaker → Shireen (Romantic Secret Husband) — Their hidden marriage and separation form the emotional core of the story.

  The plot states that Omar and Shireen were secretly married and that Shireen became pregnant by him.

Story Dynamics

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

• Omar the tentmaker → The Christian Crusader (as Maurice B. Flynn) (Alliance Protector) — Omar risks arrest and torture by sheltering the Crusader.

  Omar is arrested specifically for harboring a Christian Crusader.

• Omar the tentmaker → The shah of shahs (Conflict Political Opponent) — Omar's independence and the Shah's authority place them on opposing sides.

  Omar becomes an outcast because of his radical writings and improved calendar, while the Shah's actions cause Shireen's imprisonment and separate Omar...

• The shah of shahs → Shireen (Conflict Abuser) — The Shah's coercion creates Shireen's central ordeal.

  The Shah desires Shireen, has her forcibly brought to his harem, and orders her imprisoned after she repulses him.

Story Analysis

A persecuted scholar endures political oppression, separation, and danger before love and family are restored.

Plot Progression

1. The Outcast Scholar — Omar becomes an outcast because of his radical writings and improved solar calendar. He secretly marries Shireen and fathers a child with her.
2. The Shah's Seizure — The Shah desires Shireen and forcibly brings her to his harem. After she rejects him, he sends her to prison.
3. A Child In Hiding — Shireen gives birth to Little Shireen in prison, and the baby is smuggled out to Omar. Omar does not yet know that the child is his daughter.
4. Recognition And Release — Omar is arrested for harboring a Christian Crusader and faces torture. Shireen escapes, recognizes him, and summons a former associate to secure his freedom.