# Donald Mahon — Soldiers’ Pay character guide > Donald Mahon in Soldiers’ Pay by William Faulkner. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mahon, young Mahon, poor young Mahon **First appearance:** 0005-iii ## Who they are A young aviator brought home blind and drifting, his ruined face and wandering mind the still center around which everyone else's hopes and vanities turn. ## Relationships ### [Margaret Powers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/characters/margaret_powers) _romantic_ Donald Mahon and Margaret Powers share a poignant, tragic romantic bond complicated by his war injuries. ### [Cecily Saunders](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/characters/cecily_saunders) _romantic_ Cecily Saunders was once engaged to Donald Mahon but now feels conflicted due to his changed condition. ### [Joe Gilligan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/characters/joe_gilligan) _friendship_ Donald Mahon and Joe Gilligan share a bond of mutual respect and wartime camaraderie. ### [Emmy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/characters/emmy) _social_ Donald Mahon is kind to Emmy, who harbors a quiet, unrequited affection for him. ### [Margaret Powers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/characters/margaret_powers) _romantic_ Donald Mahon and Margaret Powers share a poignant, tragic romantic bond complicated by his war injuries. ### [Cecily Saunders](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/characters/cecily_saunders) _romantic_ Cecily Saunders was once engaged to Donald Mahon but now feels conflicted due to his changed condition. ### [Joe Gilligan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/characters/joe_gilligan) _friendship_ Donald Mahon and Joe Gilligan share a bond of mutual respect and wartime camaraderie. ### [Joe Gilligan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/characters/joe_gilligan) _friendship_ Donald Mahon and Joe Gilligan share a bond of mutual respect and wartime camaraderie. ### [Emmy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/characters/emmy) _social_ Donald Mahon is kind to Emmy, who harbors a quiet, unrequited affection for him. ### [Emmy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/characters/emmy) _social_ Donald Mahon is kind to Emmy, who harbors a quiet, unrequited affection for him. ### [Margaret Powers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/characters/margaret_powers) _romantic_ Donald Mahon and Margaret Powers share a poignant, tragic romantic bond complicated by his war injuries. ## In the story ### [Soldier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/soldier) The soldier returning home, central to the chapter's focus. ### [Soldiers' Pay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/soldiers-pay) Returning soldier, wounded and scarred, central to the chapter's exploration of war's aftermath. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/i) Returns home with a disfiguring scar, struggling to reintegrate into civilian life. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/ii) Wounded British officer, scarred and sleeping, cared for by Gilligan, Lowe, and Margaret. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/iii) Sleeping in the adjacent room, unaware of his blindness and impending death. Margaret and Gilligan discuss his fate. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/iv) Sleeps in the other bed, his scar and tunic with wings symbolize what Lowe desires. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/ii) Referenced as the subject of Emmy's confession; his scar and condition are mentioned. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/i) Referenced through the rector's memories: his small hands, lack of formal education, and a photograph on the desk. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/ii) Mentioned as the son of the rector and former fiancé of Cecily; his impending return is announced. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/v) Returns home, is helped by a private, and his scarred face causes Cecily to scream and faint. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/iii) Mentioned as Margaret's current husband and the object of Emmy's affection; his scar is a central topic. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/i) Returned home from war, presumed dead; his scar causes Cecily to faint. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/ii) Mentioned as having gone to bed; Robert is eager to see his scar. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/iii) Appears at breakfast, does not recognize his father or Emmy; eats awkwardly with his left hand. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/iv) Resting at the rectory; confused and unable to remember his past. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/vi) Donald is present at lunch but shows no recognition of Emmy, repeating her name tonelessly when prompted by his father. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/vii) Present in the study with his father, gazing into a tree. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/viii) Emmy's lover; his past actions and current condition (loss of sight) are central to the chapter. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/x) In his room with the doctor; Cecily visits him after the mistaken embrace. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/xii) Referenced as the injured young man Cecily refuses to visit; his recovery is at stake. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/ii) The returned war hero, scarred and oblivious, sits passively as visitors come to see him. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/iii) His condition is the subject of the specialist's diagnosis; he is described as practically dead. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/v) The subject of the gossip; Cecily's romantic interest. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/vi) Donald sits in the dusk with his father, his head in silhouette, unresisting as Emmy comforts him. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/vii) Sits in a deck chair, blind and unresponsive, being read to from Gibbons' History of Rome. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/v) His scarred appearance causes Cecily to break their engagement. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/iv) Sits in a chair, hearing voices but detached, repeating 'Carry on, Joe.' ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/vii) Mahon is taken with Mrs. Worthington's car to enjoy music. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/x) Sits quietly with Mrs. Powers, wearing glasses, listening to the music, still affected by his head injury. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/xi) Mentioned as being at the dance with Margaret Powers, not directly present in the scene. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/xii) Present at the dance, but largely unresponsive and confused, parroting Cecily's words. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/xiii) Referenced by Jones as 'that goddam dead man,' highlighting Cecily's conflicted loyalty. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/vi) Discussed as the injured soldier whose disfigurement repulses Cecily. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/v) Blind and scarred, he repeats Cecily's name mildly, unable to see her. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/vii) Present at home, his scar and altered state are a source of tension. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/i) Expresses anxiety about his scarred face and whether Cecily will accept him, but is reassured by Joe. ### [Spring Negotiations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/iv) Discussed as the son whose engagement to Cecily is being arranged; his condition is a concern. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/v) Discussed as the subject of gossip regarding his engagement to Cecily and his physical condition after the war. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/vi) The blind, injured man Cecily insists on marrying; discussed but not present. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/viii) Referenced as the subject of the engagement and his expected death; a photo of him is seen. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/x) Sits beside Emmy, who helps him eat; he seems oblivious to the conversation about his marriage. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/viii) The object of Cecily's visit, his scarred face causes her distress. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/ii) In a passive state, neither asleep nor awake; his awareness of his marriage and surroundings is uncertain. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/v) Lies on a movable bed, rarely rises, being read to by Gilligan. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/vi) Mentioned as Lieutenant Mahon in Julian's regards. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/vii) Asleep on the veranda; wakes suddenly from a dream, causing concern. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/viii) The central consciousness of the chapter, reliving his wartime aerial combat experience. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/ix) Receives Cecily's rejection with unsettling calm, accepting her decision without argument. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/i) The deceased; his funeral procession is described, and Emmy mourns him as 'her Donald.' ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/v) Referenced in Margaret's thoughts as lying in the warm earth with his scar and stiffened hand, at peace. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/characters/donald_mahon - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/characters