Minor Characters
The Lieutenant
An experienced French military officer who escorts Fowler through Phat Diem.
The Commandant
An associate of both Pyle and General Thé.
Dominguez
Fowler’s loyal informant and gatherer of facts. Throughout the novel, Dominguez is responsible for most of the discoveries that lead Fowler to realize that Pyle is behind the wave of bombings throughout Saigon.
Mr. Chou
A Vietnamese businessman and manufacturer who helps Alden Pyle build plastic explosives.
Vigot
A French police inspector and supposed friend of Fowler’s, who investigates Pyle’s death and seems to suspect Fowler of complicity.
Mr. Muoi
A Vietnamese manufacturer who participates in the building of Pyle’s plastic explosives.
Captain Trouin
An important French officer, with whom Fowler plays cards and smokes opium. He seems unwilling to believe that Fowler is truly not engagé, arguing that everyone is “a part” of the war.
Wilkins
A journalist and friend of Fowler’s.
Bill Granger
A loud, obnoxious American reporter, self-admittedly indifferent to the facts or the truth. Granger’s son is suffering from polio, though by the end of the novel it seems that he will survive.
Miss Hei / Phuong’s sister
Phuong’s sister, Miss Hei, works as a typist in the American Legation for Alden Pyle. She’s intelligent and proficient in both Vietnamese and English. She dislikes Pyle because she thinks he pays no attention to her.
Duke
Alden Pyle’s loyal dog.
Pietri
A reporter and old friend of Fowler’s.
Joe
An American Legation employee who works alongside Miss Hei and Alden Pyle.