The Quiet American Guilt Quotes

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

Quote #4

'We are fighting all of your wars, but you leave us the guilt.' (3.1.5.4)

Captain Trouin, a soldier, feels guilt he believes the politicians who declare the wars never feel. In his mind, the politicians decide when to wage war, but they don't have to pay the moral price.

Quote #5

'The first time I dropped napalm I thought, this is the village where I was born. … The baker – I was very fond of the baker when I was a child – is running away down there in the flames I've thrown.' (3.1.5.18)

Trouin is definitely not the one who said, "I love the smell of napalm in the morning."

Quote #6

'Those are moods. They come only with the napalm. The rest of the time I think that I am defending Europe. And you know, those others – they do some monstrous things also.' (3.1.5.20)

To alleviate his guilt, which he says comes in moods, Trouin gives reasons why he believes the war is necessary, if also horrible. How does Trouin's support of the war differ from Pyle's?