The Quiet American Isolation Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Section.Paragraph)

Quote #1

'I'm not involved, not involved,' I repeated. It has been an article of my creed. The human condition being what it was, let them fight, let them love, let them murder, I would not be involved. My fellow journalists called themselves correspondents; I preferred the title of reporter. I wrote what I saw. I took no action – even an opinion is a kind of action. (1.2.2.23)

Does Fowler identify as a reporter because he's not involved or is he not involved because he identifies as a reporter? Which came first—the chicken or the egg?

Isolation

Quote #2

'I don't take sides. I'll be still reporting, whoever wins.' (2.2.3.60)

Fowler basically sees rottenness everywhere, in every side of every conflict. He doesn't want to associate with atrocities, wherever they happen, so he doesn't take sides. Until the business with Pyle, anyway.

Isolation

Quote #3

'They are supposed to be on our side.'
'I thought you didn't have a side.'
'Touché,' I said. 'I wish the Viets knew it.' (2.2.3.95-7)

Pyle catches Fowler speaking as though he has taken sides. Is this a slip of the tongue or a betrayal of his true sentiments? Can anyone be truly impartial?

Isolation
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