The Quiet American by Graham Greene - Book Report/Review Example

The Quiet American by Graham Greene Discuss the portrayal of the book's three major characters: Pyle, Fowler, and Phuong. Be sure to focus on the political/historical as well as the personal conflict between these three characters. In the novel, Graham Greene gives reference to ‘The Quiet American’ in the character of Alden Pyle who, despite the brilliance and significant achievement being a Harvard University graduate, appears to Thomas Fowler as naïve based upon Pyle’s political beliefs. Through the title Green seemingly places stress on the awaiting irony of the attribute in ‘quietness’ when the silence and meekness associated to Pyle turns into huge contradiction at the point that marks Vietnam history with a blast of destruction, claiming several innocent lives. As opposed to the youth and solid convictions which Pyle establishes for himself, Thomas Fowler in his political career and experience as a British journalist is barely swayed by ideals or intelligent principles as applied in the prevailing state of politics and economy. In his 50s, Fowler portrays a role that moves and speaks in cynicism or in a point of view that manifests how a man of his age, with stern job in war correspondence, has had numerous encounters of conflicts arising from colonialism in and out of his English country. Having a profession that takes into account details of the affairs in his area of deployment, Fowler through time obviously has explored several places and has of course dealt with reporting special cases that are sensitive, economic, and severely political by nature among the chief aspects. The age and the frequency of research and fieldwork attached to his identity signify an exhausted maturity with an understandably growing cynical perspective toward life in general. As the novel occurs to build on the height of such trait filled with deceptive behavior on his part, a reader may be drawn to infer that to himself, even Fowler becomes entrapped. Disposed to practicalities rather than genuine terms of relations, Fowler is found incapable of settling for a serious proposition to Phuong. On the other hand, Phuong is a young lovely Vietnamese woman who functions as a submissive lover to Fowler though the story does not reveal her true emotions with coherence and that the decisions made by her sister directly impact the actions she takes. In particular, the sister meddles over the matter of Phuong’s choice in marriage and at a point feels skeptic about Fowler who has been in a relationship with the latter for quite a while yet seems indecisive with plans of marrying her due major part to the refusal of his wife in England to accept the divorce and have the legal papers signed. The initial meetings of Pyle and Fowler are void of any impression of a radical twist in the end since their intellectual conversations may be judged as rather turning both of them into a peculiar companionship despite find arguments. Pyle expresses his need of acquiring knowledge about Vietnam of which he is certain Fowler has adequate measure to impart. Their personal conflict begins at the time Pyle gets acquainted with Phuong through Fowler. Knowing the complicated situation between Fowler and Phuong in reference to the wavering possibility of matrimonial bond between the two, Pyle sees hope and, with his instant admiration for Phuong, takes advantage of the idea on seizing this suspended probability. He even reveals to Fowler such intention boldly by writing to him and with a bit of a provoking confidence implicitly asks Fowler of his approval for them to enter into a rivalry over Phuong. As the unpleasant competition sets emotions of the two men adrift to fits of jealousy, Phuong is made to choose between them and Phuong remains loyal to the side of Fowler having lived with him in two years and considering the intact assurance on a stable security in living he could provide. Fowler’s editor requires him to travel back to his country after a successful coverage of the battle in the city of Phat Diem, on crossing paths with Pyle again in a war zone, the two are held captives in a tower where they spare moments to converse about the rationality behind the sensitive thought about the subjects concerning sex and God. Pyle performs a saving act for Fowler as they manage their way out of captivity together only to find themselves picking up where they left off. Upon Fowler’s return to Saigon, he tells Phuong about the mutual agreement he makes with his wife to terminate their legal connections, giving him the freedom to finally marry her but this is a mere fabrication just so Fowler can keep Phuong by his side. Pyle nevertheless exposes the truth to her so she changes mind and shifts to dwell with him. Later on, Fowler probes into the suspicious tasks carried out by Pyle and discovers that he is involved in a negotiation that ships in military equipments from the U.S. into Vietnam. Instead of confronting Pyle in anguish regarding this matter, Fowler ends up being informed that Pyle’s wedlock to Phuong is at hand. The abrupt transition to the event of bombing follows causing Vietnam to tremble and lament over the dead bodies of the many innocent citizens. Fowler develops further suspicion and is able to arrive at an answer that matches details to Pyle’s activities. Pyle has looked up to the idealistic philosophy of York Harding which renders for him a complete advocacy and understanding of how crucial a ‘third force’ is on placing control of foreign grounds. Equivalently, this theory leads him to abolish ideologies commonly taken into account as colonialism and communism. Recollecting this position and certain hints in their previous interactions. Fowler comes out definite on suspecting Pyle’s involvement. Overcome by his infuriation over such misdeed, though he did not kill Pyle himself, Fowler conspires to become an accomplice on opening a book by the window. In the end, Phuong continues to weigh her options perhaps according to her fate with the present status of economy so she goes back to Fowler’s keeping. Even as Fowler regrets his participation on the plot, the story leaves a missing puzzle piece to the identification of Pyle’s killer. A critical reader may as well include in realization another irony in that the prior act of Pyle to save Fowler during their enslavement bears reverse treatment as Fowler nurtures an evil scheme to put the other life at risk. Read More