The Major and the Minor

Susan pretends to be a child because she cannot afford the full adult fare to return to Iowa. As a scalp massager in New York City earning modest wages, she discovers that a child ticket costs significantly less, prompting her to adopt the persona of 'Su-Su,' a 12-year-old girl, to save money and escape her difficult situation.

Her financial desperation is established early when she decides to leave New York after unwanted advances from Albert Osborne.

Major Philip Kirby believes Susan is a frightened child who was caught smoking by conductors and hid in his compartment out of fear. His paternal instincts and military background make him want to protect this 'lost' girl, so he agrees to keep her with him until they reach their destination.

His protective nature toward what he perceives as innocence sets up his eventual attraction to Susan as an adult.

Lucy, Pamela's sister and a budding biologist, recognizes Susan's disguise immediately but sees an opportunity. She persuades Susan to help thwart Pamela's plans to keep Philip at the military academy by pointing out they share a common goal, ensuring Philip won't be reassigned to active duty. Lucy's scientific mind and status as an outsider make her willing to collaborate with Susan.

Lucy identifies Susan as a fellow 'specimen' who doesn't fit in with the Academy's social hierarchy.

The cadets invent a playful kissing method based on the fall of the Maginot Line, the famous French defensive fortification that was circumvented by German forces in World War II. They humorously compare their kissing technique to the historical military tactic, creating a lighthearted game that becomes popular during Susan's stay at the academy.

This comedic reference to France's defeat foreshadows Susan's later comment about believing in the Fall of France and destiny.

Pamela refuses to marry Philip on short notice because she has already decided to marry someone else. While Philip expresses gratitude for her support and prepares to report for active duty, Pamela withholds this information and declines the marriage, later spinning a deceitful tale to Susan about why she cannot marry him.

Her refusal sets up the final romantic resolution between Susan and Philip at the train station.

At the film's conclusion, Philip's gaze is described as 'one impaired, one perfect' as he looks at Susan on the train platform. This references his earlier convoluted metaphor about lightbulbs and moths, and suggests his vision is imperfect, he must choose which 'eye' to trust. When he looks at Susan with his 'perfect' eye and smiles, it signifies clear recognition and acceptance of who she truly is.

Philip's earlier lightbulb and moth metaphor about being drawn to the light foreshadows this moment of clarity.

The frog that Lucy sends to Philip as a gift symbolizes innocence and her biological expertise. As a budding biologist, Lucy chooses a creature that represents simplicity and purity, a sharp contrast to the complex deception surrounding Susan's identity. The frog also serves as a subtle message to Philip about remaining true to honest, uncomplicated emotions.

Lucy, having helped Susan maintain her disguise, uses the frog to communicate her own genuine intentions.

Mrs. Applegate, wise and perceptive, advises Philip that men heading into battle shouldn't wed because marriage would give them something to lose, a family waiting at home that could distract them or cause emotional vulnerability during wartime. This wisdom reflects the historical reality of wartime marriages and provides Philip with perspective on his impending departure for active duty.

This conversation occurs just before Philip visits the train station to reunite with Susan, adding weight to his decision.

When Cadet Clifford Osborne introduces Susan to his parents and accidentally reveals her true identity to Pamela, it creates a dangerous situation. Albert Senior recognizes Susan from his earlier unwanted advances in New York, exposing both her dual identities as Su-Su and Susan Applegate. This threatens Philip's reputation and career because he had been harboring a woman masquerading as a child in his compartment, which could be interpreted as improper conduct.

The elaborate ruse that begins as a simple ticket scheme spirals into a situation that could end Philip's military service.

When Susan meets Philip at the train station, she boldly declares herself as 'Susan Kathleen Applegate,' abandoning her child disguise completely. This moment represents her choosing authenticity and a future with Philip over her old life and her former fiancé Will Duffy. Her firm belief in destiny, which she expresses through her musings about the Fall of France, empowers her to claim her true identity and offer herself to Philip as a woman ready to marry a soldier.

Susan's earlier claim that she believes in the Fall of France and destiny foreshadows her confident declaration at the platform.