Tom Robinson Lee
Tom Lee is an adult man, a writer. But the film is centered on his student years. He was a shy, sensitive and very tender boy. Liked to listen to classic music, read books, visit theaters, he even had to take part in a play where he had to play a woman, but when his father learned about that he made him refuse to play.
Tom is often mocked by other boys, and they give him a nickname “sister boy”. The only person who treats Tom kindly is Laura Reynolds, she helps him to become a man. Though Tom is really kind and presumably too sensitive for a man, he never thinks that he is not a man; he is not like others, but it does not make him different. And in the end we know that Tom grew up into a confident and well-known writer.
Laura Reynolds
Laura is the wife of Bill Reynolds. This is her second marriage. Her first husband John was killed at the war at very young age. Laura loved him very much and now Tom reminds her of her first husband. Laura is a very kind woman; she tries to make her house a home for all the boys who live there. But for Tom she feels special affection as he reminded her poor John very much.
Bill Reynolds
Bill Reynolds is a coach, and he is the owner of the house where boys live including Tom. Bill is a strong and confident man, but in his behavior it is shown that he thinks of men more than of women, a woman in his house must her where her place is. Tom’s father is a friend of Bill, and when he left Tom in this house, he asked Bill to make a man of his son. Now Bill understands that he has failed.
Herb Lee
Herb Lee is Tom’s father. It is clear enough that he is ashamed of his son. When Hern finds out that Tom has gone to the local prostitute he is extremely proud of his son, but when the true story is opened to him, he is even more disappointed.
Ellie Martin
Ellie is a girl working at the local bar as a waitress. Almost all the boys have been intimate with her, and now Tom goes to her to prove that he is a man.
