The Quiet American is written by Graham Greene. This novel is about the conflict between Alden Pyle and Thomas Fowler. The events of the novel have already taken place, and Fowler is the narrator of the story. Thomas Fowler, a man in his fifties, is a British journalist who has been following the events of the French war in Vietnam for over two years. He chooses to remain neutral between the sides of the battles he covers. Meet Alden Pyle, a well-educated young American who secretly works in a secret agent service. Pyle has read numerous books written by a scholar named York Harding, who believes that a “Third Force” is needed in Vietnam, which is neither communism nor colonialism. Pyle is the opposite of Fowler because Pyle believes in the "Third Force" and also Pyle is naive. Pyle fails to recognize the consequences of most of his actions. The conflict between these two is not only about their opposing beliefs, but also stems from their relationship with Phuong, Fowler's live-in lover. Pyle and Fowler meet at a hotel called the Continental, where Pyle also meets Phuong. Pyle is fascinated by Phuong and gets a chance to dance with her. While Fowler is covering a battle for his war journalism, Pyle quickly comes to tell him that he has been in love with Phuong since he met her and that he wants to marry her. Fowler is annoyed by Pyle's confidence that Phuong will leave him for Pyle. In an accident at a watchtower, Pyle saves Fowler's life after he breaks his leg while trying to escape from the soldiers. After hearing rumors about Pyle, Fowler begins investigating Pyle's actions and discovers that he is importing military supplies from the United States into Vietnam. Later, while... middle of paper...it is not possible to measure the weight of a person's life. The central theme of the novel is that no matter how great your morals may be, it is inevitable that a decision will be made. For Fowler, it was the bomb that killed so many innocents that moved his heart. He couldn't live with the guilt if he hadn't taken action to eliminate Pyle, even if he had someone else do the dirty work. In the end, Fowler finally realizes that there can be no ambivalence. Fowler's decision to eliminate Pyle was both political and personal. It was for the sake of preserving the innocent and also so that Fowler could get rid of Pyle and keep Phuong for himself. Even though things with Phuong are back to normal, Fowler's personal decisions will never be easier. Works Cited Greene, Graham. The quiet American. El Camino College ed. New York: Viking, 1956. Print.