The Quiet American by Graham Greene - Book Report/Review Example

Through the title Green seemingly places stress on the awaiting irony of the attribute in ‘quietness’ when the silence and meekness associated to Pyle turns into huge contradiction at the point that marks Vietnam history with a blast of destruction, claiming several innocent lives. As opposed to the youth and solid convictions which Pyle establishes for himself, Thomas Fowler in his political career and experience as a British journalist is barely swayed by ideals or intelligent principles as applied in the prevailing state of politics and economy.

In his 50s, Fowler portrays a role that moves and speaks in cynicism or in a point of view that manifests how a man of his age, with stern job in war correspondence, has had numerous encounters of conflicts arising from colonialism in and out of his English country. Having a profession that takes into account details of the affairs in his area of deployment, Fowler through time obviously has explored several places and has of course dealt with reporting special cases that are sensitive, economic, and severely political by nature among the chief aspects.

The age and the frequency of research and fieldwork attached to his identity signify an exhausted maturity with an understandably growing cynical perspective toward life in general. As the novel occurs to build on the height of such trait filled with deceptive behavior on his part, a reader may be drawn to infer that to himself, even Fowler becomes entrapped. Disposed to practicalities rather than genuine terms of relations, Fowler is found incapable of settling for a serious proposition to Phuong.

On the other hand, Phuong is a young lovely Vietnamese woman who functions as a submissive lover to Fowler though the story does not reveal her true emotions with coherence and that the decisions made by her sister directly impact the actions she takes. In particular, the sister meddles over the matter of Phuong’s choice in marriage and at a point feels skeptic about Fowler who has been in a relationship with the latter for quite a while yet seems indecisive with plans of marrying her due major part to the refusal of his wife in England to accept the divorce and have the legal papers signed.

The initial meetings of Pyle and Fowler are void of any impression of a radical twist in the end since their intellectual conversations may be judged as rather turning both of them into a peculiar companionship despite find arguments. Pyle expresses his need of acquiring knowledge about Vietnam of which he is certain Fowler has adequate measure to impart. Their personal conflict begins at the time Pyle gets acquainted with Phuong through Fowler. Knowing the complicated situation between Fowler and Phuong in reference to the wavering possibility of matrimonial bond between the two, Pyle sees hope and, with his instant admiration for Phuong, takes advantage of the idea on seizing this suspended probability.

He even reveals to Fowler such intention boldly by writing to him and with a bit of a provoking confidence implicitly asks Fowler of his approval for them to enter into a rivalry over Phuong. As the unpleasant competition sets emotions of the two men adrift to fits of jealousy, Phuong is made to choose between them and Phuong remains loyal to the side of Fowler having lived with him in two years and considering the intact assurance on a stable security in living he could provide. Fowler’s editor requires him to travel back to his country after a successful coverage of the battle in the city of Phat