The Quiet American relates fear to uncertainty. In a lot of ways, the story reminds us of that Munch painting, "The Scream"—there's this anxious sense of impending doom throughout the story. The narrator, Thomas Fowler, isn't always shaking in his reporter's shoes, but he has good cause to worry, being in a warzone and all. Funny thing is he's not terrified of death. He expects it and he wants it. What gets his heart racing is uncertainty—namely the uncertainty of how exactly he'll die and, more regularly, the possibility that his mistress will leave him. The association of fear and uncertainty is carried into the figure of Pyle, the well-meaning antagonist, who's so sure of himself and his mission that he's unafraid of failure.
Questions About Fear
- Is fear a reason why Fowler wants to stay uninvolved? How so?
- Why doesn't Pyle take precautions while traveling?
- Would Pyle be less innocent if he were more fearful?
- Why or why not?
- What does Fowler fear the most?
Chew on This
Deep down and despite appearances, Pyle fears that his Third Way will not succeed.
Pyle has no worry whatsoever that the Third Way will ultimately fail to achieve its ends.