The Quiet American could rightly be called an anti-war novel. It depicts war as an absurd endeavor, orchestrated by cynical politicians, fought by terrified, guilt-ridden soldiers, and reported on by journalists eager to catch a big story. Graham Greene doesn't give us any great valor and heroism on the battlefield. His illustrations of war focus on the plight of the innocent and the young. It also associates U.S. involvement in Vietnam (prior to the Vietnam War) with espionage, terrorism, and the willful disregard of innocent people murdered as a result of its meddling. If you're having a bad day and need a literary pick-me-up, this may not be the book for you.
Questions About Warfare
- Whose side does Fowler take when he agrees to participate in Pyle's assassination?
- How do the religious organizations in Vietnam respond to the violence?
- Does Vigot really believe Pyle's death was an act of war?
- What does the lieutenant mean when he said "Mal chance" (bad luck)? (1.4.1.46)
Chew on This
Fowler takes sides against Pyle, but he doesn't feel as though he's taken sides against his country's interests.
According to The Quiet American, U.S. foreign policy leading up to the Vietnam War was naïve and grossly ignorant.