# Parload — In the Days of the Comet character guide > Parload in In the Days of the Comet by H. G. Wells. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** II Parload, IV Always with Parload **First appearance:** 0004-i-dust-in-the-shadows ## Snapshot A flaxen-haired engrossing clerk who has traded religious doubt for stargazing, and who first shows Willie the comet through an opera-glass. ## Who they are Parload is Willie's closest friend — fellow socialist, fellow doubter, met in the Y.M.C.A. Parliament and kept through evening classes and Sunday suppers. He is gawky, capable of vast enthusiasm, and utterly possessed by the deeps of space, so that day and moonlight are mere interruptions to his watching. When Willie arrives feverish with love troubles, Parload makes him look through the glass anyway: the comet enters the story through this friendship. ## Relationships ### [Rawdon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_the_days_of_the_comet_se/characters/rawdon) _friendship_ Parload and Rawdon are fellow workers or acquaintances who share political discussions and camaraderie. ### [Nettie Stuart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_the_days_of_the_comet_se/characters/nettie_stuart) _social_ Nettie and Parload are acquaintances, possibly through Willie or shared community activities. ### [Rawdon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_the_days_of_the_comet_se/characters/rawdon) _friendship_ Parload and Rawdon are fellow workers or acquaintances who share political discussions and camaraderie. ## In the story ### [Book the First: The Comet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_the_days_of_the_comet_se/chapters/book-the-first-the-comet) A friend or acquaintance who shares interest in the comet, representing scientific curiosity. ### [I: Dust in the Shadows](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_the_days_of_the_comet_se/chapters/i-dust-in-the-shadows) Leadford's friend, an engrossing clerk and amateur astronomer, obsessed with observing the new comet through his opera-glass. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_the_days_of_the_comet_se/chapters/i) The owner of the ill-lit, smelly room described in detail; his living space epitomizes the squalor of the old world. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_the_days_of_the_comet_se/chapters/ii) Willie's friend, an enthusiastic amateur astronomer obsessed with the new comet. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_the_days_of_the_comet_se/chapters/iii) Leadford's friend and fellow thinker; more philosophical and cautious; discusses the comet and the miseries of life. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_the_days_of_the_comet_se/chapters/iv) A quiet, scientifically-minded friend who warns Willie about economic troubles and later becomes a famous scientist. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_the_days_of_the_comet_se/chapters/v) Mentioned as the friend from whom Willie parted earlier; Willie feels remorse for his arrogance toward him. ### [II: Nettie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_the_days_of_the_comet_se/chapters/ii-nettie) Willie's friend; defends the importance of science over socialism; obsessed with observing the comet. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_the_days_of_the_comet_se/chapters/i) Shows the comet to Leadford, buys a spectroscope, and argues that science is more important than socialism, leading to a quarrel. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_the_days_of_the_comet_se/chapters/ii) Willie tells Parload he is done with women after writing to Nettie. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_the_days_of_the_comet_se/chapters/iv) Not present; mentioned only in passing as a contrast to Willie's usual talkativeness. ### [III: The Revolver](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_the_days_of_the_comet_se/chapters/iii-the-revolver) Mentioned as the one who first showed the comet to Willie. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_the_days_of_the_comet_se/chapters/ii) Mentioned indirectly as the one who showed the comet; Willie recalls the earlier quarrel. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_the_days_of_the_comet_se/chapters/iii) Mentioned in connection with the comet and scientific assurances. ### [IV: War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_the_days_of_the_comet_se/chapters/iv-war) Mentioned as a friend from whom Willie has become estranged. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_the_days_of_the_comet_se/chapters/ii) Mentioned as a possible source of a loan, though Willie hesitates to approach him after their quarrel. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_the_days_of_the_comet_se/chapters/vi) Mentioned in Willie's thoughts as the fanatic who would be vindicated if the world ended. ### [II: The Awakening](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_the_days_of_the_comet_se/chapters/ii-the-awakening) Mentioned as the source of information about the chemical changes in the air. ### [The Great Change Begins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_the_days_of_the_comet_se/chapters/i) Mentioned as a source of reasoning about the nitrogen modification after the Change. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_the_days_of_the_comet_se/chapters/vii) Mentioned as having attended revivalist meetings with Willie, sitting in the back seats and scoffing. ### [II: My Mother’s Last Days](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_the_days_of_the_comet_se/chapters/ii-my-mother-s-last-days) Meets Willie in Clayton and describes the ongoing reconstruction and educational efforts. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_the_days_of_the_comet_se/chapters/i) Meets Willie in the street, confirms the comet's significance, and describes the ongoing reconstruction efforts. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_the_days_of_the_comet_se/chapters/i) Mentioned in the context of old-world furniture, specifically his bedroom. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_the_days_of_the_comet_se/characters/parload - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_the_days_of_the_comet_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_the_days_of_the_comet_se/characters