Bring on the tough stuff - there’s not just one right answer.
- How are religion and politics intertwined in The Quiet American?
- Does Fowler really want to be killed as he says?
- The Quiet American presents the idea that you must take sides to remain human? What does this mean? Do you agree with it? Why or why not?
- What might Graham Greene have to say about contemporary attempts to spread democracy in the Middle East and elsewhere?
- Does Pyle accurately represent American interventionism?
- How do language barriers affect the characters' behavior and decisions?
- Pyle talks a reasonable amount, so why do people call him quiet?
- What all does Thomas Fowler dislike about American culture?
- Really, can you picture anyone besides Michael Caine playing Thomas Fowler?
- How would this story be different if we replaced Alden Pyle with Jack Ryan (from the Tom Clancy books)? Or Thomas Fowler with Captain America?