Character Analysis
We're not sure how we feel about the Turkish refugees. On the one hand, they take Vahan—or should we say, Galib—in, give him a place to stay, let him eat, and provide protection for him. On the other hand, we see them shoot an Armenian in cold blood just because he's Armenian. These guys are hard to figure out, because they might not be as dark and corrupted as the gendarmes, but they certainly buy into the whole hatred-of-Armenians thing.
Plus we know that they only take Vahan in because they believe he's deaf and mute. Our guy lets us in on a secret: "I did not know it then, but in their eyes, in the eyes of all Turks, the physically or mentally infirm were friends of God and therefore deserving of such kindness. As long as they believed I could not hear them or speak a single word, I would be safe" (23.19). Who knew? It's clear that Vahan uses this trick up his sleeve to survive, until it doesn't seem safe to any longer and he carries on his way.