The Quiet American isn't at all hush-hush about lies and deceit. They're everywhere, especially in love and war. Nations lie about their operations. Army commanders lie about their wins and losses. Reporters lie about what they see. Lovers lie about their desires and intentions. Everybody knows and seems to accept the network of deception that houses all their interactions, even if they're not always happy about it. In the world of The Quiet American, truth is valued only when it serves a purpose. If lies also serve their designs, well, then, lies are just as good. A bleak house of cards, no?
Questions About Lies and Deceit
- Why does the colonel try to keep the French losses off the record? (1.5.1.24)
- According to Fowler, how might truth and humility go together? (2.3.2.3)
- Why does Pyle trust Fowler?
- Is Fowler troubled that he cannot report the truth when the truth conflicts with national interests? Why or why not?
Chew on This
According to The Quiet American, policies and relationships built on lies cannot long survive.
In the world of The Quiet American, it's impossible to avoid participating in lies.