Static Character-- Azar (Ch. 14)

The U.S. soldier Azar is a friend of the author and also a fellow soldier in the Alpha Company. However, the purpose he serves in the novel is as a static character. He does not change at all throughout the story and his characteristics bring out the characteristics of his fellow comrades. Azar does not exhibit compassion like some of the other soldiers, nor does he show respect for the native people. In chapter 14, he is shown to be mocking a young girl who was dancing after her whole family was badly burned and killed. In contrast, Henry Dobbins is shown to stand up for the girl, even though she is oblivious to the situation. I think Azar is there to bring out the good qualities of the soldiers by demonstrating his crass nature. He is there to show that even though there are U.S. soldiers dying all around them, some of the soldiers have enough heart to stand up for a girl who is clearly dealing with her pain in the only way she knows.