Character Relationship Map: The Tenth Month

Characters

• Dori Grey (played by Carol Burnett) — protagonist

  A successful, divorced, childless magazine feature writer in New York, Dori becomes pregnant after a relationship with Matthew, despite believing she could not conceive. She hides the pregnancy, prepa...

• Matthew Poole (played by Keith Michell) — supporting

  An internationally renowned English pianist, Matthew meets Dori after reading her favorable article about his work and pursues a romantic relationship with her. He is hurt when she tells him she is pr...

• Cele (played by Dina Merrill) — supporting

  A friend of Dori who attends the concert with her and Dick, Cele tells Dori that Matthew has expressed romantic interest and asked for her number. She shares Dori's happiness about the pregnancy and l...

• Ellen Varley (played by Melissa Converse) — supporting

  Dori's sister-in-law, Ellen reacts coolly when Dori shares her pregnancy news and suggests that Dori have an abortion. Her response contrasts with Dori's excitement about carrying a child after a long...

• Dr. Paul Jessup (played by Richard Venture) — supporting

  Dori visits her doctor because she believes she may be entering menopause. When she returns a month later, he informs her that she is pregnant, delivering news that excites her because she had long be...

• Dick Townsend (played by Joe Ponazecki) — supporting

  Dori's married coworker and casual sexual partner, Dick attends a concert with her and their friends. He tells Dori he is leaving for Germany for at least five weeks, without a definite return date, t...

• Gene Varley (played by Rex Robbins) — minor

  Dori's brother, Gene gives her a cool reception when she announces her pregnancy. He hints that she might give the baby to him and his wife to raise, showing that he and Ellen respond differently from...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Dori Grey → Dr. Paul Jessup (Professional Doctor And Patient) — The doctor provides the medical revelation that changes Dori's life.

  Dori visits Dr. Paul Jessup because she believes she is entering menopause, and he later informs her that she is pregnant.

• Gene Varley → Ellen Varley (Family Married Couple) — They respond together from within Dori's family network.

  Ellen is described as Dori's sister-in-law while Gene is described as Dori's brother, establishing them as the married couple in Dori's family context...

• Dori Grey → Ellen Varley (Family Sisters-In-Law) — Their family relationship becomes tense because Ellen rejects Dori's pregnancy decision.

  Ellen is identified as Dori's sister-in-law and responds coolly to the pregnancy, suggesting that Dori have an abortion.

• Dori Grey → Gene Varley (Family Siblings) — Their family bond is strained by disagreement over the baby.

  Gene is identified as Dori's brother. He reacts coolly to her pregnancy and hints that she should give the baby to him and his household to raise.

• Dori Grey → Matthew Poole (Romantic Partners) — Their romance develops despite Matthew's existing family commitments.

  Matthew repeatedly expresses romantic interest in Dori, and their coffee meeting at her apartment becomes a sexual encounter. They later continue an e...

• Dori Grey → Dick Townsend (Romantic Casual Sexual Partners) — Their affair is temporary and ends when Dick leaves the country.

  The plot states that Dori has a casual sexual relationship with her married co-worker Dick. Dick later says he is leaving for Germany, ending their re...

Story Dynamics

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

• Cele → Matthew Poole (Alliance Mediator) — Cele helps maintain communication between the two romantic leads.

  Cele tells Dori that Matthew asked for her phone number and later arranges for Matthew and Dori to meet again.

• Dori Grey → Cele (Social Friend) — Cele provides emotional support and practical mediation.

  Cele attends the concert with Dori, tells her about Matthew's interest, shares her happiness about the pregnancy, and arranges a later meeting between...

Story Analysis

A divorced writer chooses independent motherhood while navigating love, family pressure, and the limits of a relationship with a married man.

Plot Progression

1. A Chance At Romance — Dori's affair with Dick ends just as Matthew begins pursuing her. Although she initially resists another relationship with a married man, repeated encounters draw her toward Matthew.
2. The Unexpected Pregnancy — Dori and Matthew become intimate after meeting at the cat show. A medical visit then reveals a pregnancy Dori had believed impossible, transforming her hopes and responsibilities.
3. Family And Secrecy — Cele supports Dori, but Gene and Ellen respond negatively to the pregnancy. Dori finally tells Matthew, whose anger forces her to protect her future independently.
4. A Separate Life — Dori moves into a small apartment under an alias and begins legal preparations to raise the child as a single parent. Matthew admits his love but refuses to abandon his family.
5. Birth And Homecoming — Labor begins at Dori's baby shower, leading to the birth of her son. She rejects Matthew's marriage proposal and returns home with the child, affirming their new life together.