Donald Mahon

Margaret Powers

Donald Mahon and Margaret Powers share a poignant, tragic romantic bond complicated by his war injuries.

Cecily Saunders

Cecily Saunders was once engaged to Donald Mahon but now feels conflicted due to his changed condition.

Joe Gilligan

Donald Mahon and Joe Gilligan share a bond of mutual respect and wartime camaraderie.

Emmy

Donald Mahon is kind to Emmy, who harbors a quiet, unrequited affection for him.

Margaret Powers

Donald Mahon and Margaret Powers share a poignant, tragic romantic bond complicated by his war injuries.

Cecily Saunders

Cecily Saunders was once engaged to Donald Mahon but now feels conflicted due to his changed condition.

Joe Gilligan

Donald Mahon and Joe Gilligan share a bond of mutual respect and wartime camaraderie.

Joe Gilligan

Donald Mahon and Joe Gilligan share a bond of mutual respect and wartime camaraderie.

Emmy

Donald Mahon is kind to Emmy, who harbors a quiet, unrequited affection for him.

Emmy

Donald Mahon is kind to Emmy, who harbors a quiet, unrequited affection for him.

Margaret Powers

Donald Mahon and Margaret Powers share a poignant, tragic romantic bond complicated by his war injuries.

Soldier

The soldier returning home, central to the chapter's focus.

Soldiers' Pay

Returning soldier, wounded and scarred, central to the chapter's exploration of war's aftermath.

I

Returns home with a disfiguring scar, struggling to reintegrate into civilian life.

II

Wounded British officer, scarred and sleeping, cared for by Gilligan, Lowe, and Margaret.

III

Sleeping in the adjacent room, unaware of his blindness and impending death. Margaret and Gilligan discuss his fate.

IV

Sleeps in the other bed, his scar and tunic with wings symbolize what Lowe desires.

V

Still asleep at the start of the chapter, then wakes and greets Lowe; his scar and wings are a source of Lowe's envy.

II

Referenced as the subject of Emmy's confession; his scar and condition are mentioned.

I

Referenced through the rector's memories: his small hands, lack of formal education, and a photograph on the desk.

II

Mentioned as the son of the rector and former fiancé of Cecily; his impending return is announced.

V

Returns home, is helped by a private, and his scarred face causes Cecily to scream and faint.

III

Mentioned as Margaret's current husband and the object of Emmy's affection; his scar is a central topic.

I

Returned home from war, presumed dead; his scar causes Cecily to faint.

II

Mentioned as having gone to bed; Robert is eager to see his scar.

III

Appears at breakfast, does not recognize his father or Emmy; eats awkwardly with his left hand.

IV

Resting at the rectory; confused and unable to remember his past.

VI

Donald is present at lunch but shows no recognition of Emmy, repeating her name tonelessly when prompted by his father.

VII

Present in the study with his father, gazing into a tree.

VIII

Emmy's lover; his past actions and current condition (loss of sight) are central to the chapter.

Chapter X

In his room with the doctor; Cecily visits him after the mistaken embrace.

XII

Referenced as the injured young man Cecily refuses to visit; his recovery is at stake.

II

The returned war hero, scarred and oblivious, sits passively as visitors come to see him.

III

His condition is the subject of the specialist's diagnosis; he is described as practically dead.

V

The subject of the gossip; Cecily's romantic interest.

Chapter VI

Donald sits in the dusk with his father, his head in silhouette, unresisting as Emmy comforts him.

VII

Sits in a deck chair, blind and unresponsive, being read to from Gibbons' History of Rome.

V

His scarred appearance causes Cecily to break their engagement.

IV

Sits in a chair, hearing voices but detached, repeating 'Carry on, Joe.'

VII

Mahon is taken with Mrs. Worthington's car to enjoy music.

Chapter X

Sits quietly with Mrs. Powers, wearing glasses, listening to the music, still affected by his head injury.

XI

Mentioned as being at the dance with Margaret Powers, not directly present in the scene.

XII

Present at the dance, but largely unresponsive and confused, parroting Cecily's words.

XIII

Referenced by Jones as 'that goddam dead man,' highlighting Cecily's conflicted loyalty.

VI

Discussed as the injured soldier whose disfigurement repulses Cecily.

V

Blind and scarred, he repeats Cecily's name mildly, unable to see her.

VII

Present at home, his scar and altered state are a source of tension.

I

Expresses anxiety about his scarred face and whether Cecily will accept him, but is reassured by Joe.

Spring Negotiations

Discussed as the son whose engagement to Cecily is being arranged; his condition is a concern.

V

Discussed as the subject of gossip regarding his engagement to Cecily and his physical condition after the war.

VI

The blind, injured man Cecily insists on marrying; discussed but not present.

VIII

Referenced as the subject of the engagement and his expected death; a photo of him is seen.

Chapter X

Sits beside Emmy, who helps him eat; he seems oblivious to the conversation about his marriage.

VIII

The object of Cecily's visit, his scarred face causes her distress.

II

In a passive state, neither asleep nor awake; his awareness of his marriage and surroundings is uncertain.

V

Lies on a movable bed, rarely rises, being read to by Gilligan.

VI

Mentioned as Lieutenant Mahon in Julian's regards.

VII

Asleep on the veranda; wakes suddenly from a dream, causing concern.

VIII

The central consciousness of the chapter, reliving his wartime aerial combat experience.

IX

Receives Cecily's rejection with unsettling calm, accepting her decision without argument.

I

The deceased; his funeral procession is described, and Emmy mourns him as 'her Donald.'

V

Referenced in Margaret's thoughts as lying in the warm earth with his scar and stiffened hand, at peace.