Character Clues

Character Analysis

Occupation

Thomas Fowler, the narrator, characterizes himself in terms of his occupation. He's a reporter. He doesn't take sides or get involved. He observes and writes what he observes. For Fowler, this is a creed he tries to follow in every aspect of his life.

Fowler also associates Alden Pyle's character with his career: Pyle is an intelligence agent "responsible for at least fifty deaths" (1.1.119), deaths Fowler associates with Pyle's occupation. When Fowler tries to reason with Pyle in an attempt to change his character, he implores him to leave his job. Pyle would be a different man in a different line of work.

Speech and Dialogue

Let's look at the speech of Alden Pyle, seeing as how he is the 'quiet American' and all. First things first—he's a terrible liar and usually speaks his mind to a fault. Fowler says that lying is "an art he had obviously never practised." (2.2.1.46)

When Pyle goes to propose to Phuong, he doesn't ask her directly or ask her sister to translate. He goes to Fowler, the man from whom he intends to take her. He's very direct that way.

Pyle asks him to translate his wishes to her. "There's nobody I'd go to in trouble sooner than you," Pyle tells Fowler after calling him his best friend (2.1.97). "Just translate," he says. "I wouldn't want to sway her emotionally" (2.1.87). "I want you to hear everything I have to say. It wouldn't be fair otherwise," Pyle says (2.1.82).

As you can see, Pyle doesn't hide his feelings or his thoughts. He's up front about his motivations. His dialogue therefore gives us a pretty good indication of the kind of man he is.

Sex and Love

Fowler and Pyle are very different men. Their approaches to sex and love continue this differentiation.

Fowler is technically married, but hasn't been with his wife for a long time. He sleeps with a young mistress named Phuong and claims not to care about her interests. She keeps the cold and loneliness away.

Pyle is in love with Phuong, and although he suspects that Fowler really loves her as well, he's determined to court her. He wants to marry her and provide for her and look after her interests. He also seems to desire her sexually, but maybe more in the sense that she'll be his wife and the mother to his children. Hey, different strokes for different folks.