Character Analysis
The Pagoda is definitely the most unexpected character with a point of view in the book because, well, it's an inanimate landmark in the town. But the Pagoda comes in every once in a while to give readers perspective on the setting and, importantly, how it's changed over time. For instance:
Do you have any idea how old watching idiot kids drink and do drugs up here on the rocks is getting? The funniest part is, they all think they're more cool than their parents were, and their parents did the same crap. (3.11.1)
After all, no one else in the book has been around for as long as the Pagoda has. So it's not just a witness, but also a reminder that time marches on. For more on this talking inanimate structure, be sure to check out the "Symbols" section.