# Ned Bashford — When God Laughs character guide

> Ned Bashford in When God Laughs by Jack London.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Edward Bashford, Bashford

**First appearance:** 0006-make-westing

## Snapshot

A world-weary gentleman of wide experience, Ned Bashford finds his practiced composure undone when Loretta turns to his shoulder with a confession he never expected.

## Who they are

Ned Bashford moves through the social world of the story as a man of travel and worldly confidence, the kind of Greek who has recovered from long sickness and thinks he understands women. When Loretta sobs against his shoulder, his indulgent tenderness collides with a confession involving a man named Billy, and his easy assurance begins to crack. His value to the story lies in that collision between the man he believes himself to be and the situation that quietly dismantles him.

## Relationships

### [Loretta](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_god_laughs_se/characters/loretta)

_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)

_rivalry_

Ned Bashford and Stowsher Bill are antagonists, possibly competing for Loretta's affection or status.

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

_rivalry_

Ned Bashford and Stowsher Bill are antagonists, possibly competing for Loretta's affection or status.

### [Loretta](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_god_laughs_se/characters/loretta)

_romantic_

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

### [Loretta](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_god_laughs_se/characters/loretta)

_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)

_rivalry_

Ned Bashford and Stowsher Bill are antagonists, possibly competing for Loretta's affection or status.

## In the story

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

Philosophical man invited by Mrs. Hemingway; becomes infatuated with Loretta's apparent innocence; is shocked by her confession.

## Links

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