Western Imperialism In Pyle's The Quiet American

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Western Imperialism is exhibited throughout The Quiet American as Pyle takes advantage of Fowler and Phuong without realizing it. He uses them to help him get rid of communism in Vietnam. He also ultimately obtains economic gain not taking into consideration the destruction he is causing with the sole purpose of carrying out his personal and political agenda. Pyle’s and Fowler’s friendship takes a few different turns when Pyle makes decisions that may affect how Fowler and Phuong see him. Pyle is immersed with the dilemmas of democracy and responsibilities to his idealism. Pyle wants to make of Phuong a typical American housewife while he helps General Thé (meaning the third force) get rid of communism. Unfortunately Pyle’s ending is not what he had hoped for. Pyle who symbolizes the United States is portrayed as this quiet American, not your typical American, who allegedly goes to Vietnam simply as an Economic advisor. In the introduction of The Quiet American we find an excellent line which describes the main focus of this novel “the only quiet America is a …show more content…

After all Pyle does love Phuong and he wants to take her with him to America when everything is all over. We don’t hear much of Phuong directly because neither Pyle nor Fowler let her say much. This shows how the United States, France, and Britain do not let Vietnam resolve their issues. They simply enforce their ideals and treat her as an object. Throughout the novel they fight for her and she simply stays with the one who seems to be able to take her of her in the best form. A main event in which Pyle’s motive seem questionable is when Pyle saves Fowler’s life. Why would he save him if he is the only thing between him and Phuong? Otherwise it could simply mean that Pyle was trying to look heroic for Phuong (Greene,

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