The Good Soldier · Character

Nancy Rufford

The Ashburnhams' young ward, raised among dogs and horses at Branshaw, whose white innocence becomes the last and costliest object of Edward's sentimental devotion.

major

Also known as Nancy, Annie, III Nancy, Aden Nancy, Aden

First appearance: part i i

As a major figure in The Good Soldier, Nancy Rufford is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Leonora's ward who enthusiastically praises Edward's character and deeds.

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See Nancy Rufford in I Book page

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Nancy arrives at Branshaw as a child abandoned by a drinking mother and an absent soldier father, and grows up cheerful, fragile, and utterly trusting of Edward and Leonora. By eighteen she is startlingly beautiful — 'like the sail of a ship' — and still half a daughter to the household. Her presence forces the Ashburnhams' marriage to its breaking point, because she is the one person Edward's pity cannot safely reach.

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The fuller portrait of Nancy Rufford sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Nancy Rufford in part i i

Character Web

10 connections

A slice of how Nancy Rufford sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Romantic
Psychological
Family
Other

Character groups

Central tragic figures
Protagonist
Peripheral and background figures

+5 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of the narrator's…

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Relationships

Edward Ashburnham
romantic · ambivalent
A passionate but doomed romantic obsession, with Edward falling deeply in love with his… How this plays out →
John Dowell
psychological · ambivalent
Leonora Ashburnham
family · negative
Edward Ashburnham
romantic · ambivalent
A passionate but doomed romantic obsession, with Edward falling deeply in love with his… How this plays out →
Leonora Ashburnham
family · negative
Edward Ashburnham
romantic · ambivalent
A passionate but doomed romantic obsession, with Edward falling deeply in love with his… How this plays out →
John Dowell
psychological · ambivalent
John Dowell
psychological · ambivalent

Edward Ashburnham
A passionate but doomed romantic obsession, with Edward falling deeply in love with his ward Nancy.
John Dowell
John develops a protective, almost paternal obsession with Nancy after the tragedies unfold.
Leonora Ashburnham
Leonora acts as a stern, jealous guardian to Nancy, viewing her as a threat to her marriage.
Edward Ashburnham
A passionate but doomed romantic obsession, with Edward falling deeply in love with his ward Nancy.
Leonora Ashburnham
Leonora acts as a stern, jealous guardian to Nancy, viewing her as a threat to her marriage.
Edward Ashburnham
A passionate but doomed romantic obsession, with Edward falling deeply in love with his ward Nancy.
John Dowell
John develops a protective, almost paternal obsession with Nancy after the tragedies unfold.
John Dowell
John develops a protective, almost paternal obsession with Nancy after the tragedies unfold.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Nancy Rufford in part i i

In the story

Nancy Rufford appears across 11 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

I
Leonora's ward who enthusiastically praises Edward's character and deeds.
II
At the concert with Edward; the girl needing chaperoning.
I
The girl Dowell unconsciously considers marrying; Edward's love for her is discussed.
II
Innocent and complex, with a troubled childhood; seeks Edward's attention and displays a mix of grotesque and beautiful traits.
III
Nancy is mentioned as a girl Leonora feels she can trust with Edward, and Leonora's relief at this trust contributes to her subsequent breakdown.
I
Mentioned as being on her way to India during Edward's final act of kindness, contributing to the gloom over the household.
Chapter II
Devoted to Leonora; offers her virtue to Edward in a desperate attempt to save his sanity; gradually becomes aware of the profound differences between Edward and Leonora.
III
Experiences profound unhappiness and confusion, abstains from alcohol after a moment of weakness, and contemplates self-sacrifice for Leonora. Begins to understand adult relationships and betrayal after reading a divorce case.
IV
Sits in a blissful dream, feeling she possesses Edward's soul; rejects Leonora's commands; plans to go to Glasgow to rescue her mother; later weeps with Leonora and agrees to go to India.
V
Now mad in Ceylon, she repeats 'Credo in unum Deum omnipotentem'; earlier, she offers herself to Edward to save his life but declares she can never love him.
Chapter VI
Sent to India; goes mad upon hearing of Edward's suicide; now lives with Dowell, uttering only occasional words.

Chapter companion notes

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See Nancy Rufford in part i i

See Nancy Rufford in I