So Goes My Love (1946) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The film takes place primarily in Brooklyn, New York. This urban setting serves as the backdrop for Jane's pursuit of a more comfortable life, contrasting with her rural roots. The story uses Brooklyn's social milieu, dance halls, social engagements, and the bustling neighborhood, to explore class dynamics and romantic ambitions.

• brooklyn new york setting location urban city

The movie is set in the early 1940s, during a period of rapid modernization in America. This era frames the social expectations around money, status, and domestic roles. The everyday scenes, dances, engagements, and household life, reflect the mood of the pre-war and early war years in urban America.

• 1940s era time period historical setting wartime

The central theme explores love versus pragmatism. Jane initially seeks wealth and comfort but ultimately discovers genuine partnership with Hiram. The film shows how love can grow when partners support each other's ambitions, balancing romance with responsibility and collaborative growth.

• love pragmatism theme romance partnership marriage

Invention and creativity drive the family's hopes throughout the film. Hiram's inventive efforts, though sometimes resulting in public humiliation, eventually lead to practical successes and income. The theme celebrates ingenuity applied to everyday needs, with Jane's encouragement helping transform marginal ideas into useful products.

• invention creativity inventor theme innovation

Family and responsibility anchor the narrative. The Maxim household learns to balance ambition with protection, loyalty, and mutual support. A pregnancy scare underscores the fragility and importance of care within a growing family. The portrait of family life culminates in shared achievement and unity.

• family parenthood responsibility children household

Hiram Maxim is an eccentric inventor portrayed by Don Ameche. He endures public humiliation but grows into a practical, income-generating innovator. His character evolves from a showy tinkerer to a family-centered provider who shapes the family's future through useful inventions, learning from mistakes with Jane's support.

• hiram maxim inventor don ameche character role

Jane Budden Maxim, played by Myrna Loy, is a farmer's daughter who moves to Brooklyn seeking a life of ease. She ultimately discovers deeper partnership and responsibility with Hiram. Her journey blends practicality with romantic growth, as she navigates social expectations and becomes a supportive partner for her husband and family.

• jane budden myrna loy character farmer daughter wife

Josephus Ford is a wealthy real estate developer and attorney who serves as a foil to Hiram's inventive spirit. He embodies social control and financial pragmatism, pushing for a prenuptial agreement and a conservative lifestyle. His emphasis on money in alliances highlights the economic pressures surrounding marriage.

• josephus ford wealthy attorney foil antagonist money

Percy Maxim is the creative son of Hiram and Jane, played by Bobby Driscoll. He is raised with an unconventional approach to nurture imagination and confidence. An incident involving his dog and a bonnet creates guilt, illustrating the tender dynamics of parenting and responsibility. His growth mirrors the family's evolving dynamics.

• percy maxim child son creativity family

Magel is an eccentric artist hired to paint the family portrait, portrayed by Rhys Williams. He represents unconventional creativity and serves as a perceptive outsider who documents the family's world. His presence culminates in a portrait that captures a moment of shared memory for the Maxim family.

• magel artist portrait painter outsider creativity