Splendor in the Grass

Deanie is sweet and idealistic, aiming for a life with Bud that aligns with her moral expectations. A pivotal New Year’s Eve event leaves her in a state of emotional turmoil and seeks help through treatment. Her journey centers on self-definition, love, and the constraints of her social world.

Bud is athletic and charming, heir to oil wealth, yet hampered by sexual frustration and heavy parental expectations. His father pressures him to Yale and to settle down with Deanie, creating internal conflict. His arc traces a fall from pressure-filled dreams toward a harder-won independence.

Deanie's mother projects traditional values, guiding her daughter to be 'good' in society's eyes. She embodies the social guardrails of a middle-class Kansas family during the oil boom. Her influence frames Deanie's choices and the family’s expectations.

Bud's domineering father is obsessed with status and the family future. He pushes Yale and maintains control over the family's wealth and image. His downfall follows financial ruin, illustrating the fragility of blind faith in wealth and prestige.

Angelina is a pragmatic Italian waitress Bud meets at Yale, representing a more grounded, uncomplicated relationship outside Kansas. Her presence introduces a contrast to Deanie’s dreams and marks Bud's ongoing search for belonging. She accompanies Bud into a different chapter of his life.

Juanita is a classmate who becomes Bud's later romantic interest, an event that wounds Deanie and marks a shift in both their lives. Her role highlights the consequences of awakening desires within a tightly monitored social sphere.

Bud's older sister, portrayed as reckless, adds a foil to Bud's more restrained path. Her behavior embodies the permissive undercurrents of a wealthy family in a changing era. Hazel's presence hints at alternative routes youth might explore beyond strict expectations.

A physician at the mental institution treating Deanie, Dr. Judd represents the era’s approach to mental health care. His role marks a transition from home to formal treatment and influences Deanie’s path toward recovery.