# Dr. Mahon — Soldiers’ Pay character guide

> Dr. Mahon in Soldiers’ Pay by William Faulkner.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Mahon, Even Mahon

**First appearance:** 0021-vii

## Who they are

A doctor and possibly relative of Donald.

## In the story

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/i)

Reflects on his son Donald's hands and character, tends to his rose bush, and engages in philosophical debate with Jones.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/v)

The rector, preoccupied with his son's return, appears aged and distressed, stumbling as he enters the house.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/iii)

Hopeful about Donald's improvement; shows Margaret Donald's belongings; struggles with his son's condition.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/iv)

Optimistic about Donald's recovery and the engagement; deflects Mr. Saunders' concerns.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/vii)

Seen in the study with his son, gazing into a rain-perplexed tree.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/viii)

The rector; receives the doctor's pessimistic report about Donald's sight.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/ii)

Donald's father, who writes his sermon in the study while the afternoon passes.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/iii)

The rector and Donald's father, who is kept in the dark about the severity of Donald's condition.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/iv)

Mentioned as expecting Cecily to visit Donald, but she uses sickness as an excuse.

### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/vi)

The rector sits with Donald in the study and speaks to Emmy.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/vii)

The rector, Donald's father, struggles with the news of his son's blindness and clings to hope.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/iv)

The rector, greets Mrs. Burney and speaks kindly to her.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/vii)

Present in the household, dealing with the aftermath of Donald's return.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/xiii)

Married at last; dimly aware of Gilligan's changed demeanor and asks him to 'carry on.'

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/v)

Grows grayer and quieter, neither happy nor unhappy, waits for Donald to strengthen.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/vii)

The rector, present on the lawn, dozes and later wakes abruptly.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/viii)

Appears at the end as Donald's father, his face hanging over him like a murdered Caesar's.

### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/iii)

The rector, bareheaded in the rain, lost in grief; he is led by Margaret, accepts her care, and repeats her decision that she will not remain.

### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/chapters/viii)

The rector walks with Gilligan, offering philosophical comfort about love and God.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/characters/dr_mahon
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/soldiers_pay_se/characters