Sarawa Character Analysis in Lone Survivor

The primary doctor for the tiny Pashtun village of Sabray, Sarawa is one of the key figures in the book, and arguably the person most responsible for saving Marcus Luttrell’s life. Sarawa finds Luttrell after Luttrell has been wounded by the Taliban soldiers. Instead of turning Luttrell over to the Taliban, Sarawa takes care of Luttrell, treating his wounds and bringing him back to Sabray for further care. Sarawa’s behavior proves that, contrary to what Luttrell himself sometimes suggests, the people of Afghanistan aren’t all colluding with the Taliban—on the contrary, most of its people are compassionate individuals, willing to help a stranger. However, Luttrell claims that Sarawa helps him because of an ancient Pashtun custom known as lokhay warkawal, rather than because of any basic human decency or universal moral values.

Sarawa Character Timeline in Lone Survivor

The timeline below shows where the character Sarawa appears in Lone Survivor. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...men mean him no harm. The leader of the men approaches Luttrell, smiling, and says, “Sarawa,” his name. He adds, in rough English, that he’s the village doctor. Realizing he has... (full context)

Luttrell doesn’t realize it at the time, but Sarawa and his men take a huge risk by helping Luttrell. Sarawa and his men are... (full context)

Luttrell, of course, has no idea what Sarawa is thinking. From Luttrell’s perspective, Sarawa and his friends may have had family who were... (full context)

Sarawa and his men carry Luttrell down the mountain. They don’t attempt to take his rifle.... (full context)

Eventually, Sarawa, Luttrell, and the other men arrive at a house by the mountain. Inside, Luttrell drinks... (full context)

Later at night, Sarawa enters the room again, accompanied by some friends. They carry Luttrell out of the room—Luttrell... (full context)

...in Sabray—the man is grinning cheerfully. He’s brought Luttrell goat’s milk and water. Shortly afterwards, Sarawa shows up again. He posts a guard outside the cave, and for the next few... (full context)

Politics and the War on Terror Theme Icon

On Friday, July 1, Norzamund and two other men lead Luttrell back to Sabray. There, Sarawa replaces the dressings on Luttrell’s wounds. Luttrell is then taken to stay in the home... (full context)

...team to move Luttrell out of the forest immediately. They begin fixing Luttrell’s wounds, replacing Sarawa’s dressings with fresh bandages and antiseptic cream. Luttrell begins to realize what’s happened: the Army... (full context)