Well, the novel of 'The Quiet American' is a very detailed account. It's like a slow - burning exploration of the characters and the political backdrop. The 1958 film adaptation, on the other hand, has to condense a lot. It might lose some of the subtleties of the novel. For instance, the motives of Pyle, the so - called 'Quiet American' in the story, are more ambiguous in the novel, but in the film, they might seem a bit more black - and - white to fit the cinematic narrative.
The Quiet American himself is an important character. He is likely a young American with certain ideals and a sense of mission, but his actions have complex and often negative impacts.
One of the main themes is the naivete of the Western, particularly American, approach to foreign affairs. The 'Quiet American' in the novel represents the young, idealistic American who believes he can shape a foreign country according to his own ideas, without fully understanding the complex local culture and politics.
The 'quiet contemporary American novel' often focuses on the internal struggles of its characters. It may not have big, flashy plotlines. For example, it could be about a person dealing with a mid - life crisis in a very subdued way, exploring their self - doubt and the slow realization of what they truly want in life, without a lot of external action.
The themes are centered around the consequences of imperialism. America's imperialistic tendencies in Vietnam, as shown through Pyle's actions, are a major theme. Additionally, the novel delves into the moral ambiguity of war. Fowler, as a journalist, witnesses the atrocities and is caught in a moral dilemma, which reflects the overall theme of the moral complexity of the situation in Vietnam.
The main characters are Thomas Fowler, a British journalist. He is cynical and has a complex relationship with Vietnam. Then there is Alden Pyle, the 'quiet American'. He is an idealistic young American who gets involved in Vietnam's affairs with his own ideas of how to 'help' the country. And there is Phuong, a Vietnamese woman who is caught between Fowler and Pyle in a love triangle.
There's Thomas Fowler who has seen a lot in his journalistic career and has his own moral ambiguities. Alden Pyle, who is the titular Quiet American, with his clean - cut American image and his dangerous, if well - intentioned, plans. And Phuong, the Vietnamese woman, whose life is caught between these two very different men and their worlds.
One of the main themes is the naivete of the Western intervention in Southeast Asia. The 'Quiet American' represents the idealistic yet ultimately harmful Western influence. Another theme is the complexity of love and relationships, as seen through the love triangle in the story.