The Quiet American

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1955

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Before You Read

Summary

Background

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1. Chapters 1-5

Part 2, Chapters 1-2

Part 2, Chapter 3

Part 3, Chapters 1-2

Part 4, Chapters 1-3

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

Discussion Questions

Essay Topics

Thomas Fowler is the narrator of The Quiet American, but the novel does not present his narration as objective. How does Greene enable the reader to perceive the flaws in Fowler’s point of view and understand truths that he cannot?

How does the nonlinear structure of the novel shape the development of the theme of Inevitable Death?

In the contest between cynicism and naivety in the novel, is there a winner? Why or why not? What does the novel suggest about the true relationship between cynicism and naivety?