Soldiers’ Pay · Chapter
XI explained
Cecily Saunders returns home still angry after visiting Donald.
What happens
Cecily Saunders returns home still angry after visiting Donald. Her parents question her about Donald's condition, but she reveals her humiliation and jealousy over Mrs. Powers, refusing to discuss it further. She rejects George Farr's calls and storms off to her room, declaring she hates men.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Obligation
Cecily's sense of obligation to visit Donald clashes with her feelings of humiliation and jealousy.
The Role of Women
Cecily's reaction reflects societal pressures on women to manage relationships and appearances, while her mother's curiosity underscores gendered expectations.
Characters to notice
- Cecily Saunders
Returns home angry after visiting Donald, feels humiliated by his behavior and jealous of Mrs. Powers.
- Mr. Saunders
Attempts to comfort Cecily and learn what happened, but she resists.
- Mrs. Saunders
Questions Cecily about Donald and the mysterious woman, expresses surprise at Cecily's reaction.
- George Farr
Phoned again while Cecily was out, but she refuses to call him back.
- Tobe
Mentioned as being interrupted by phone calls from George Farr.
Key passages
“Cecily Saunders returned home nursing the yet uncooled embers of her anger.”
Cecily came home still fuming from her visit.
Opens the chapter, establishing her emotional state.
“I don't know and I don't care.”
She refuses to discuss Donald's condition.
Shows her anger and rejection of her parents' concern.
“He has humiliated me in public: this afternoon he—he—Let me go, daddy.”
She feels publicly shamed by Donald's actions.
Highlights her sense of betrayal and embarrassment.
“No! Not if he was the last man in the world. I hate men.”
She vehemently refuses to call George Farr.
Emphasizes her frustration with men in general.