Characters
Pavlo Hummel
Pavlo Hummel, an army private and medic during the Vietnam War, is a teenager estranged from his family, seeking companionship and meaning in his life. He is distinguished by his red hair, green eyes, a height of five feet, ten inches, and a weight of 152 pounds. His name, originally Michael, was changed legally to Pavlo in defiance of his absent father. Pavlo often ponders the awkwardness of greeting his mother upon returning home. Despite growing up in New York City, Pavlo lacks genuine street smarts, and his facade is transparent to others who recognize his naivety and innocence. Obsessed with others' perceptions, he invents tales of sexual exploits and criminal acts, claiming to have stolen twenty-three cars and to have had an uncle executed for murder at San Quentin. Unaware that his peers see through his fabrications and ridicule him, Pavlo believes that by being an exemplary soldier, he will secure friendships. However, his sycophantic efforts and volunteering for arduous tasks go unrewarded, leading to a suicide attempt with one hundred aspirin, from which he is saved by squad leader Pierce.
Conflicted about his role as a medic, Pavlo is ashamed and persistently requests a transfer to combat duty, driven more by a desire to prove his bravery than genuine concern for his fellow soldiers. Notably, he carries the wounded Parham to safety, yet his actions are more about seeking admiration than altruism. Despite being wounded thrice and awarded the Purple Heart, Pavlo is denied a request to leave the front lines. His life ends tragically in a meaningless altercation over a prostitute, where he is mortally wounded by a grenade while attempting to defend himself. Pavlo's journey concludes without any significant personal insight, as his transformation from naive youth to hardened soldier fails to yield clarity or understanding.
Ardell
Ardell, an African American soldier, serves as Pavlo's alter ego and exists solely within Pavlo's imagination. He appears in a surreal uniform adorned with dark ribbons and medals and embodies a voice of experience and prophecy. Ardell provides pivotal insights into Pavlo's inner turmoil and facilitates transitions in the narrative. His presence marks significant emotional and psychological moments, arguing that Pavlo harbors profound pain, obscuring his self-awareness. During critical scenes, Ardell communicates with Pavlo, offering guidance and insight. At the play's conclusion, Ardell assists in Pavlo's symbolic transition for his journey home and is present as Pavlo acknowledges the futility of his death, emphasizing his ultimate realization and the closing of his life's chapter.
Sergeant Tower
Sergeant Tower, Pavlo's drill sergeant, is a formidable presence throughout basic training and beyond. As a tough African American officer, he sets high standards and frequently singles out Pavlo for punitive exercises. He oversees the soldiers' education in combat and first aid, imparting his wisdom with authority, and represents a figure of masculine power and military prowess in Pavlo's mind. Tower embodies the perfect soldier that Pavlo aspires to emulate. Despite completing basic training, Pavlo never fully meets Tower's expectations and often finds himself on the receiving end of Tower's reprimands. Tower symbolizes the unattainable ideal that Pavlo strives to achieve.
Kress
Kress is a large, muscular soldier in Pavlo's unit, often confused and lacking intellectual acuity. Hailing from New Jersey, he is perpetually surprised by the coldness at the base and voices his complaints frequently. Kress's inability to comprehend leads to failure in his proficiency test, requiring him to repeat basic training. He harbors a deep-seated grudge against Pavlo, perceiving his actions and words as provocations, which culminates in physical altercations. Kress's animosity is exacerbated by his own struggles, as...
(This entire section contains 1529 words.)
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he constantly teeters on the edge of understanding without grasping the full situation.
Yen
Yen, a Vietnamese prostitute, plays a pivotal role during Pavlo's time in Vietnam. Clad in purple silk pajamas, she becomes Pavlo's first sexual partner, a significant milestone facilitated by the more seasoned soldier, Jones. Pavlo's regular visits to Yen signify his attempt to gain worldly experience and acceptance among his peers. However, his relationship with Yen ultimately leads to his downfall, as a confrontation over her results in the fatal altercation with Sergeant Wall.
Pierce
Pierce, the squad leader, maintains a nuanced relationship with Pavlo. While he refrains from the bullying that Pavlo endures, he understands the animosity his comrades harbor towards him. Pierce's leadership is underscored by a commitment to uphold responsibilities and protect his military record from being tainted by violence. He saves Pavlo from his suicide attempt, showing a degree of care, though he remains detached from the personal dramas within the unit.
Sergeant Henry Wall
Sergeant Henry Wall, a friend to Sergeant Brisbey, is a middle-aged, gray-haired, and stocky figure who plays a pivotal role in Pavlo's demise. Wall is unmoved by Brisbey's emotional plight, and his hardened demeanor reflects his name. His presence in the brothel, where he engages in drunken and lascivious behavior, marks the beginning of the end for Pavlo. After being humiliated in a confrontation over Yen, Wall leaves only to return with a grenade, sealing Pavlo's fate in a tragic and violent conclusion.
Sergeant Brisbey
Sergeant Brisbey, a patient in the field hospital where Pavlo works, has been severely injured by a land mine, resulting in the loss of his testicles, both legs, and one arm. His bitterness and despair drive him to consider suicide, an intention he shares with Pavlo, even requesting a gun to complete the act. Brisbey's interactions with Pavlo underscore the psychological toll of war and the struggles to cope with life-altering injuries.
Mickey Hummel
Mickey Hummel, Pavlo's half-brother, embodies toughness and indifference, contrasting sharply with Pavlo’s earnest quest for approval. Mickey's womanizing and heavy drinking, coupled with his disrespect for their mother, highlight his carefree and reckless demeanor. His disbelief in Pavlo's military service and dismissive attitude towards the Vietnam War strain their relationship, further isolating Pavlo within his family.
Mrs. Hummel
Mrs. Hummel, Pavlo and Mickey's mother, is portrayed as a small, dark-haired, and distracted woman who dresses fashionably. Her mental illness and preoccupation with a co-worker's son's death in Vietnam foreshadow Pavlo's fate. She is unable to provide the emotional connection Pavlo seeks, including the identity of his father, a secret she believes to have disclosed during his childhood. Her narrative exemplifies the themes of loss and misunderstanding permeating Pavlo's life.
Burns
Burns, a trainee alongside Pavlo, engages in recreational gambling with Pierce and accuses Pavlo of theft, heightening the tension within the unit. Much like Kress, he fails basic training, adding to the dynamics that isolate Pavlo. Burns' interactions with Pavlo highlight the mistrust and rivalry prevalent among the trainees.
The Corporal
The Corporal, second in command of Pavlo’s platoon, occasionally leads drills and commands respect due to his combat experience in Vietnam. Pavlo envies the Corporal's experience and status, aspiring to attain similar respect and authority, though he never fully achieves it.
Grennel
Grennel is a soldier working alongside Pavlo in the field hospital, witnessing the daily realities of war's impact on the wounded and the medics who treat them.
Hendrix
Hendrix, a combat-seasoned soldier, holds some authority over the trainees. Close to the Corporal, he acts as a lookout during pool hustles involving Pavlo, representing the seasoned experience and camaraderie Pavlo yearns for but struggles to obtain.
Hinkle
Hinkle, another trainee, is recognized for his deep Southern drawl. He plays a minor yet significant role when his missing wallet becomes a point of contention, fueling accusations against Pavlo and highlighting the pervasive mistrust within the ranks.
Jones
Jones, an American soldier in Vietnam, encounters Pavlo at Mamasan's brothel, playing an influential role in exposing him to the harsh realities of war and adult life. He aids Pavlo during his first sexual encounter with Yen, offering a candid view of what to expect during deployment.
Mamasan
Mamasan, the older Vietnamese woman who runs the brothel where Pavlo's story reaches its tragic climax, serves as a backdrop to the encounters and conflicts that ultimately lead to Pavlo's downfall.
Captain Miller
Captain Miller, Pavlo's commanding officer at the field hospital, initially tries to dissuade Pavlo from pursuing a transfer, highlighting the bureaucratic intricacies of military service. Despite Pavlo's lack of respect for him as an R.O.T.C. officer, Miller's interactions with Pavlo illuminate the rigid structure of the chain of command and Pavlo's rebellious nature.
Jay Charles Johnson Parham
Jay Charles Johnson Parham, a young African American Private First Class, is severely injured and calls for medical assistance, only to be captured and killed by Viet Cong soldiers. His tragic fate serves as a grim reminder of the war's brutal realities.
Parker
Parker, a small trainee with glasses, initially shows empathy towards Pavlo, cautioning Kress against mocking him. However, he eventually aligns with the other trainees' skepticism, suspecting Pavlo of theft and contributing to the pervasive distrust.
Ryan
Ryan serves as Pavlo's partner during a patrol in the Vietnamese jungle, sharing the dangers and uncertainties of combat.
Mrs. Sorrentino
Mrs. Sorrentino, the mother of Pavlo's ex-girlfriend Joanna, appears solely as a voice during a phone conversation with Pavlo. Her dismissal of him when he becomes aggressive underscores the personal failures and isolation that characterize Pavlo's life.
