# Tom King — When God Laughs character guide

> Tom King in When God Laughs by Jack London.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** the King, Tom, old Tom King, King, All King, Twice King

**First appearance:** 0011-a-piece-of-steak

## Who they are

A battered old prizefighter, twice crowned and now broke, who steps into the ring one more time because the rent and the butcher will not wait.

## Relationships

### [Sandel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_god_laughs_se/characters/sandel)

_rivalry_

Sandel and Tom King are fierce competitors, likely engaged in a physical or professional contest.

### [George Dorety](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_god_laughs_se/characters/george_dorety)

_friendship_

George Dorety and Tom King are frequent companions, possibly fellow workers or friends.

### [Youth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_god_laughs_se/characters/youth)

_rivalry_

Tom King and Youth are opponents, likely in a boxing match or physical competition.

### [Alexander Burrell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_god_laughs_se/characters/alexander_burrell)

_professional_

Alexander Burrell and Tom King have a business or employer-employee relationship.

### [George Dorety](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_god_laughs_se/characters/george_dorety)

_friendship_

George Dorety and Tom King are frequent companions, possibly fellow workers or friends.

### [George Dorety](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_god_laughs_se/characters/george_dorety)

_friendship_

George Dorety and Tom King are frequent companions, possibly fellow workers or friends.

### [Sandel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_god_laughs_se/characters/sandel)

_rivalry_

Sandel and Tom King are fierce competitors, likely engaged in a physical or professional contest.

### [Alexander Burrell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_god_laughs_se/characters/alexander_burrell)

_professional_

Alexander Burrell and Tom King have a business or employer-employee relationship.

## In the story

### [When God Laughs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_god_laughs_se/chapters/when-god-laughs)

The narrator, who hosts Carquinez and engages in philosophical discussion about winning against the gods.

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

The aging prizefighter, hungry and weary, preparing for a fight against Sandel while reflecting on his declining physical condition.

## Links

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