# John Jephson — Short Fiction character guide

> John Jephson in Short Fiction by George MacDonald.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** John, honest John, Jephson, John Jephson⁠—leastways

**First appearance:** 0000-a-double-story

## Snapshot

An honest working man whose plain decency and unshowy loyalty make him the moral ballast of a story full of sharper, craftier people.

## Who they are

John Jephson is the sort of man whose word is good and whose hands are useful, respected for steadiness rather than brilliance. His affection and sense of duty put him at odds with characters who calculate rather than care, and his plain speech cuts through their pretensions. He matters because his integrity offers the reader a fixed point, showing what goodness looks like when it is not dramatic, only dependable.

## Relationships

### [Ally](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_21_se/characters/ally)

_friendship_

Ally and John Jephson have a strong bond of friendship, with frequent interactions suggesting camaraderie.

### [Ally](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_21_se/characters/ally)

_friendship_

Ally and John Jephson have a strong bond of friendship, with frequent interactions suggesting camaraderie.

### [Ally](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_21_se/characters/ally)

_friendship_

Ally and John Jephson have a strong bond of friendship, with frequent interactions suggesting camaraderie.

## In the story

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_21_se/chapters/iii)

Alice's lover, a cabinetmaker, who is bewildered and hurt by her changed behavior after she inherits money.

### [Chapter V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_21_se/chapters/v)

Mentioned as the honest man Alice insulted and lost due to her pride.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_21_se/chapters/vi)

Listens to Alice's confession and forgives her, reaffirming his commitment.

### [The Wow o' Rivven](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_21_se/chapters/the-wow-o-rivven)

The old man known as 'Feel Jock,' a foundling raised by the parish, now a harmless but taunted fool who wears a coat with a bell-shaped badge.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_21_se/characters/john_jephson
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_21_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_21_se/characters