Character Relationship Map: Lincoln

Characters

• Abraham Lincoln (played by Daniel Day-Lewis) — protagonist

  Abraham Lincoln is the U.S. president and the central figure of the story. He urgently works to pass the Thirteenth Amendment before the war ends, balances Republican and Democratic opposition, manage...

• Mary Todd Lincoln (played by Sally Field) — protagonist

  Mary Todd Lincoln is the First Lady and Abraham Lincoln's wife. She fears that their son Robert will be killed after he announces his intention to enlist in the Union army, and she presses Abraham to...

• Thaddeus Stevens (played by Tommy Lee Jones) — supporting

  Thaddeus Stevens is a Radical Republican and an advocate of racial equality. During the House debate, he moderates his argument by presenting the Thirteenth Amendment as guaranteeing legal equality ra...

• Preston Blair (played by Hal Holbrook) — supporting

  Preston Blair is a founder of the Republican Party whose influence Lincoln needs among conservative state Republicans. Blair agrees to help obtain support for the anti-slavery amendment only if Lincol...

• Ulysses S. Grant (played by Jared Harris) — minor

  Ulysses S. Grant is the Union lieutenant general commanding the army during the final stage of the Civil War. Lincoln visits him at the Petersburg battlefield, and Grant later receives General Robert...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Abraham Lincoln → Ulysses S. Grant (Professional Commander)

  Lincoln visits the battlefield at Petersburg and speaks with Grant, who later receives the Confederate surrender at Appomattox.

• Abraham Lincoln → Mary Todd Lincoln (Family Husband)

  The plot identifies Mary Todd Lincoln as the First Lady and describes her concern for their son and her discussions with Lincoln.

Story Dynamics

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

• Abraham Lincoln → Thaddeus Stevens (Alliance Legislative Ally)

  Stevens moderates his position during the House debate and argues for the amendment in a form intended to secure its passage.

• Abraham Lincoln → Preston Blair (Alliance Political Ally)

  Lincoln relies on Preston Blair to influence conservative state legislators to support the anti-slavery amendment.

Story Analysis

The film follows Lincoln's political struggle to abolish slavery before the Civil War ends, followed by military victory and personal tragedy.

Plot Progression

1. Freedom Before Victory
2. The Blair Bargain
3. A Dangerous Vote
4. Two Votes for Freedom
5. Victory and Mourning