William Faulkner's debut novel, "Soldier's Pay," plunges into the disorienting aftermath of World War I, exploring the profound impact of war on a returning soldier and his small Southern town. The story follows Joe Gilligan and Julian Lowe, who accompany the gravely wounded and disfigured Cadet Donald Mahon back to his Georgia home. Mahon's arrival forces his family and the community to confront the brutal realities of wartime sacrifice and the irreversible changes wrought upon individuals. Faulkner masterfully portrays themes of disillusionment, the struggle for re-integration, and the inability of society to fully comprehend the trauma experienced by its returning heroes. This powerful narrative examines the complexities of love, duty, and the burden of unspoken suffering.