Ted Conover Character Analysis in Half Broke Horses

A former boxer turned vacuum-cleaner salesman whom Lily meets in Chicago. He is gregarious and “a bit of a huckster,” but Lily quickly falls for him anyways. After six weeks of dating, the two marry. When Lily gets hit by a car and calls Ted’s office from the hospital, she learns that he is already married to another woman, Margaret, and that he has nearly drained their joint bank account. She also learns that the diamond ring he gave her is a fake. When confronted, a whimpering Ted apologizes for having “destroyed” Lily. Lily says he does not have what it takes to destroy her, and she gets the marriage annulled.

Ted Conover Character Timeline in Half Broke Horses

The timeline below shows where the character Ted Conover appears in Half Broke Horses. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Women’s Strength in a Man’s World Theme Icon

Poverty and the American Dream Theme Icon

Lily’s new haircut makes her feel modern and flapper-like, and attracts the attention of Ted Conover, a former boxer turned traveling vacuum-cleaner salesman. Despite Ted being “a bit of a... (full context)

Ted is often away for work, but Lily does not mind because she is so busy... (full context)

At the hospital Lily calls Ted’s office, introducing herself as his wife and asking how to reach him on the road.... (full context)

The next morning, Lily finds that Ted has nearly drained their joint bank account. She packs her gun in her purse and... (full context)

...ranch. She is able to get her marriage annulled, but does not press charges against Ted, understanding that his going to prison would just make life even harder for his wife... (full context)

...Lily gets Rosemary a string of fake pearls before she leaves, then tells her about Ted and the fake diamond he presented her with. She asserts that if Rosemary holds her... (full context)