Final answer:
Azar is portrayed as someone who teases and jokes at others' expense, lacks empathy and understanding, and undergoes a transformation due to a traumatic experience in war.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the story, we learn several things about Azar's character. First, Azar is portrayed as someone who enjoys teasing and making jokes at other people's expense. This is seen in the way he treats Tim and his practical jokes, such as putting a snake in his bed. Second, Azar is shown to have a lack of empathy and understanding for the gravity of the war and its impact on others. He often makes light of the situation and has a dismissive attitude towards the suffering of others. Lastly, Azar's character undergoes a transformation towards the end of the story when he witnesses the death of a Vietnamese soldier and realizes the true horrors of war. This experience prompts him to reflect on his previous actions and leads to a change in his demeanor.