The Quiet American

A detailed Summary of The Quiet American

Graham Greene's The Quiet American is a story about love. The main focus of this love is from Pyle and Fowler to Phuong. Through the novel Fowler and Pyle battle for this women's love, but the reality is that Phuong's love is not obtainable. The two men even speak of her in the third person, which reflects their idea of her as an object. Phuong sells herself to the highest bidder and is just looking for the best situation for herself. Phuong's whoring personality is seen through her relationships with three characters during the course of the novel.

In Phuong's relationship with Fowler she is treated like a prostitute. Fowler's relationship with Phuong is built on sex.

" 'I don't care that for her interests. I only want her body. I want her in bed with me. I'd rather ruin her and sleep with her than, than . . . look after her damned interests,' " (p 59).

While he does later express an interest to divorce his wife and marry Phuong this interest only arose out of the possibility of losing her in bed. Fowler doesn't want a deep relationship, he just wants security and to feel comfortable. This is seen in his conversation with Pyle in the tower. " 'I just don't want to be alone in my last decade, that's all,' " (p

Phuong's sister can be seen as a pimp in her dealings with Phuong. In Miss Hei's first meeting with Pyle the only thing she is interested in is how much money and authority he has in the United States. Fowler notices this and comments " 'It sounds as though you were examining Mr. Pyle's marriageability,' " (p 42). This was exactly what Miss Hei was doing. Miss Hei sees Pyle as a more beneficial option than Fowler and attempts to set up a meeting without his presence. " 'Then you must come and have dinner with me and my sister when Monsieur Fowler is gone,' " (p 43). Miss Hei's interest in her sister's affairs has nothing to do with Phuong's happiness. She is only looking for the man with more money. Miss Hei sells her sisters body for money, which would in turn make Miss Hei a pimp and Phuong a prostitute.

104). Fowler would rather be with a woman that he didn't love than have to be alone. Phuong provides an easy woman to obtain with little emotional involvement. Fowler just flat out uses Phuong as one would a prostitute. He takes sex from her and a sense of security. All this is in exchange for sustaining her lifestyle. Fowler's and Phuong's needs compliment each others, but Pyle provides a more enterprising opportunity for Phuong.

In her relationship with Pyle she shows how willing she is to sell herself. She goes behind

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 909
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English