# Nancy Rufford — The Good Soldier character guide

> Nancy Rufford in The Good Soldier by Ford Madox Ford.

**Role:** major

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

**First appearance:** 0000-part-i-i

## Snapshot

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.

## Who they are

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.

## Relationships

### [Edward Ashburnham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_soldier_se/characters/edward_ashburnham)

_romantic_

A passionate but doomed romantic obsession, with Edward falling deeply in love with his ward Nancy.

### [John Dowell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_soldier_se/characters/john_dowell)

_psychological_

John develops a protective, almost paternal obsession with Nancy after the tragedies unfold.

### [Leonora Ashburnham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_soldier_se/characters/leonora_ashburnham)

_family_

Leonora acts as a stern, jealous guardian to Nancy, viewing her as a threat to her marriage.

### [Edward Ashburnham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_soldier_se/characters/edward_ashburnham)

_romantic_

A passionate but doomed romantic obsession, with Edward falling deeply in love with his ward Nancy.

### [Leonora Ashburnham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_soldier_se/characters/leonora_ashburnham)

_family_

Leonora acts as a stern, jealous guardian to Nancy, viewing her as a threat to her marriage.

### [Edward Ashburnham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_soldier_se/characters/edward_ashburnham)

_romantic_

A passionate but doomed romantic obsession, with Edward falling deeply in love with his ward Nancy.

### [John Dowell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_soldier_se/characters/john_dowell)

_psychological_

John develops a protective, almost paternal obsession with Nancy after the tragedies unfold.

### [John Dowell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_soldier_se/characters/john_dowell)

_psychological_

John develops a protective, almost paternal obsession with Nancy after the tragedies unfold.

## In the story

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_soldier_se/chapters/part-ii-i)

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

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_soldier_se/chapters/part-ii-ii)

At the concert with Edward; the girl needing chaperoning.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_soldier_se/chapters/part-iii-i)

The girl Dowell unconsciously considers marrying; Edward's love for her is discussed.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_soldier_se/chapters/part-iii-ii)

Innocent and complex, with a troubled childhood; seeks Edward's attention and displays a mix of grotesque and beautiful traits.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_soldier_se/chapters/part-iii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_soldier_se/chapters/part-iv-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_soldier_se/chapters/part-iv-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_soldier_se/chapters/part-iv-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_soldier_se/chapters/part-iv-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_soldier_se/chapters/part-iv-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_soldier_se/chapters/part-iv-vi)

Sent to India; goes mad upon hearing of Edward's suicide; now lives with Dowell, uttering only occasional words.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_soldier_se/characters/nancy_rufford
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_soldier_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_soldier_se/characters