Read: Greene, The Quiet American

1. What are Pyle's values and political views? Why does Greene see them as dangerous?

2. Much of the book is about Fowler's detachment or disengagement, yet he ultimately makes a decision to get involved. Why? What lessons should we take from this choice?

3. How would you describe Phuong? What do we know and not know about her? What are her motivations? Why do you think Greene depicted her the way he did? What does this character suggest about the relationship between Vietnamese, Europeans, and North Americans?

4. Fowler explains Pyle's death as follows: "They killed him because he was too innocent to live" (31). Later, he describes innocence as "a kind of insanity" (163). What does he mean?

5. Movie adaptations often depart from the books on which they are based. What are some of the differences between the movie and book? Why might those differences be meaningful or significant?

Journal Entry #10: Innocence at Large (due on April 27 and by email to aleshkow[at]holycross.edu).

The back cover of the 1986 Penguin edition of The Quiet American describes the book as "a terrifying portrait of innocence at large." Why is innocence terrifying? What does Greene suggest about the dangers of trying to fix things? About the relationship between intentions, engagement, and knowledge? Do you agree?

For more information, contact: aleshkow@holycross.edu