The Quiet American Essay

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The Quiet American Written by Graham Greene, gives the overall impression that he was aware of American CIA influences and is not in favor of colonization by the French. Greene’s story follows a British journalist named Thomas Fowler, and his love triangle during the French and Vietnam War. Fowlers lover is a Vietnamese 20 year old girl named Phuong. Throughout the book, the reader gets the sense that Phuong is with Fowler for her own personal gain. This is especially relevant when one notes their immense age difference. In that time, however, how else was a girl to have a secure living? Marry into one, of course! Fowler also mentions, “An advantage about this war was that a European face proved itselfits self a passport on the field: A European could not be suspected of being an enemy agent.” (51) Phuong and Fowler were set on marriage; although, Fowler was technically married back in Britain. Phuong’s older sister starts to notice a young quiet American named Alden Pyle. She does not seem to believe that Fowler will get a divorce. Therefore, she implies throughout the book that Pyle would be a much better companion for marriage with Phuong. Pyle is …show more content…

Fowler is then compelled to write to hishe’s wife asking for a divorce as Phuong watches him write it. Pyle and Fowler get together again in a war zone and end up being stranded due to Fowler'sFowlers car running out of gas. Both Characters end up climbing into a watch tower with local guards. Pyle claims to not know how to speak Vietnamese, while Fowler tries to speak French to them. It appears the guards want nothing to do with them, but they let Pyle and Fowler stay in the tower. Fowler and Pyle eventually make it out, but Pyle ends up saving Fowler'sFowlers life. This pulls an emotional trigger for the reader, and leads the reader to believe they can trust