# Loretta — When God Laughs character guide

> Loretta in When God Laughs by Jack London.

**Role:** supporting

**First appearance:** 0002-a-wicked-woman

## Snapshot

A young woman caught between two men and her own shame, whose tearful confession to Ned reveals a heart tangled in guilt and longing.

## Who they are

Loretta comes to Ned in the big living-room with wet lashes and trembling lips, confessing she is wicked and ashamed, yet unable to name what she has done. She is caught between Billy, who wants to marry her, and Ned, whose protective tenderness she seems to crave. Her confession matters because it exposes the gap between the innocent child Ned sees and the woman whose desires and mistakes have already outrun that image.

## Relationships

### [Ned Bashford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_god_laughs_se/characters/ned_bashford)

_romantic_

Loretta and Ned Bashford have a romantic relationship, marked by frequent and intimate interactions.

### [Stowsher Bill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_god_laughs_se/characters/stowsher_bill)

_social_

Loretta and Stowsher Bill are acquaintances, possibly within a shared social circle.

### [Daisy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_god_laughs_se/characters/daisy)

_friendship_

Daisy and Loretta are friends or confidantes, sharing personal matters.

### [Mrs. Hemingway](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_god_laughs_se/characters/mrs_hemingway)

_social_

Loretta and Mrs. Hemingway are acquaintances, possibly neighbors or members of the same community.

### [Stowsher Bill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_god_laughs_se/characters/stowsher_bill)

_social_

Loretta and Stowsher Bill are acquaintances, possibly within a shared social circle.

### [Ned Bashford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_god_laughs_se/characters/ned_bashford)

_romantic_

Loretta and Ned Bashford have a romantic relationship, marked by frequent and intimate interactions.

### [Ned Bashford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_god_laughs_se/characters/ned_bashford)

_romantic_

Loretta and Ned Bashford have a romantic relationship, marked by frequent and intimate interactions.

## In the story

### [A Wicked Woman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_god_laughs_se/chapters/a-wicked-woman)

Visits Santa Clara to escape Billy; develops independence and attracts Ned Bashford; confesses her 'wickedness' regarding Billy.

### [A Piece of Steak](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_god_laughs_se/chapters/a-piece-of-steak)

Tom King's wife, who borrows flour and goes without food to support her husband, embodying the family's desperate poverty.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_god_laughs_se/characters/loretta
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_god_laughs_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_god_laughs_se/characters