Many of us may be familiar with the term “looking glass self”. By definition it refers to the way a person see’s himself through others perceptions in society and in turn gains identity. We imagine how we appear to others, we imagine the judgment of that appearance, and we develop ourselves through the judgments of others. Faulkner however, spins this; he formulates his identity using this process, yet is focused on how he thinks others should judge him, not how they actually do.

In many ways this is applies to Solders’ Pay. Faulkner’s first novel mirrors his own life and the book plays the role of the other, allowing Faulkner to gain identity: whether intentional or not, whether recognized or not. This novel is young, as are the characters, and in relation to the external circumstances particularly those descending from the war, in a sense it is small and naive. It was not accepted and received substantial criticism. The book itself mirrors Faulkner’s experience enlisting into the war. He was criticized as well; he did not fit the standards because of his height. He came home in a well-crafted façade, a injured soldier; that was the way in which he wished to be perceived by society; even more so, as a war hero. This character he becomes reappears in his first novel as Lieutenant Donald Mahon. He is our means of transportation throughout the context of Soldiers’ Pay. Donald is actually an injured vet, something Faulkner obviously wanted to be. Within this character, Faulkner’s fabricated looking glass self is deeply rooted. In other words, the way he wanted society to view him is projected in his own life as well as through this character. Other instances in which Faulkner’s life is visible appear by means of Margaret Powers. She resembles Faulkner’s fiancée Estelle, both unfaithful, though circumstantially; they rely heavily on their explanations for breaking off their engagements. There is a theme in the novel that gives insight into Faulkner’s personality: silence. We have the soldier, who can barely communicate; his experience in the war is quieted because of this. Similarly, the culture at this time is unaware of the circumstances of war. The people at home have no clue of the trauma these soldiers endured, and a majority of the survivors who are able to speak of their experience are unable to do so; mostly because of posttraumatic stress or injury—something along those lines. Thus, it remains rather quieted, silenced, a secret, blank as the world is to a blind man. Faulkner also, silenced his true experience and kept that from people by forging a new identity after the war. These examples of silence all contribute to the irony that arises given that silence is set inside the novel’s dizzying and elongated dialogue. However, if we pay close attention to the discourse it is evident that the silence I am speaking of is of emotional. The true feelings harbored in these characters are suppressed yet are inevitably exposed unintentionally. Particularly by focusing on what isn’t spoken.