International Interests and Conflicts in The Quiet American Essay

THE QUIET AMERICAN

Weve no business here. Its their country.

How does The Quiet American portray international interests and potential conflicts created by other countries within the text?

The Quiet American, written by Graham Greene, is a fictional text depicting non- fictional events and their outcomes in relation to the Indo-China War. The Quiet American does portray the international interests of Vietnams occupancy and desired Government and as a result the potential conflicts that arise. Greene describes the interest of Vietnam to be of a global epidemic because of the numerous countries involved. Consequently, the conflicts that emerge from the stakeholders of 1950s Vietnam were of morbid warfare, fighting for ideologies, colonialism, communism, democracy and nationalism. The principle stakeholders of 1950s Vietnam were America, as they were fighting for Vietnam to become a democratic society, France because of their constant effort to maintain colonialism of Vietnam, the Vietminh who fought for communist independence and the Vietnamese citizens fight for freedom.

America, in the 1950s, was a powerhouse nation and battled for supremacy with the communist Soviet Union. Americas involvement in Vietnam occurred only because it feared if Vietnam fell to communism then all the surrounding Asian countries would also follow suit. This was referred to as the domino effect. It was thought that a successful intervention in Vietnam was to create a Third Force, an army independent to the Vietminh and the French, which is what America introduced. Pyle, a pivotal character in the text, is a young idealistic American man, representing the body of America and the Third Force. Pyle symbolizes America because his objectives are to better himself and he has no concept of the repercussions of his actions. Whats that I must get them (shoes) cleaned before I see the Minister. This is immediately after Pyle is involved in the bomb massacre of innocent civilians and displays the naivety and arrogance of his actions, representing those of Americas. I shall ask her to marry me. Pyle mirrors America because it is through his actions of intrusion into Phuongs life, claiming he is the best lover for her, that patterns Americas invasion of Vietnam. America, an ally to France, both shared different objectives in Vietnam.

Vietnam has been a colony of France since 1887 and it was imperative for their reputation that it remained in power of Vietnam. France colonised Vietnam because of the economic incentives for exporting crops of rice and receiving the healthy income it provides. The French also wanted domination of the South-East Asia region to ensure prominent power over its European rivals. The Vietminh, an organisation composing of mainly Vietnamese citizens who aimed at eliminating the French from Vietnam, attempted a revolt against their French leaders. The Vietminh wanted to liberate themselves and reform their own communist identity and to achieve this declared war against the French soldiers occupying Vietnam. The Quiet American depicts constant struggle between French soldiers and the Vietminh and also the momentum swings. The colonel suddenly snapped out the information that French casualties had been in proportion of one to three. The French were not only embarrassed to reveal their casualties, but also feared it would severely dampen their reputation, as well as the French morale. It wasnt just the French and Vietminh in conflict, the Vietnamese citizens were also in a struggle to emancipate themselves from outside interference.

Greene portrayed the Vietnamese citizens as innocent and fragile human beings incapable of independently overcoming their turmoil to eventually emancipate themselves from not only the French stronghold but also the ideologies of America and the violence of the Vietminh. It is Phuong, an attractive young Vietnamese woman that is characterised to represent Vietnam. Phuong is in a love-triangle with Thomas Fowler, a British War correspondent and Pyle, an American working for the Secret Service. Phuong, who has men fighting over her love, is a delineation of Vietnam because like Phuong, Vietnam has numerous countries fighting over its power. Shell just have to choose between us, Thomas. This is vindictive of the battle for Phuong and how serious both parties are to win. We have no business here, its their country. Fowlers understanding of the Indo-China War is an accurate assessment of how the Vietnamese citizens feel. The Vietnamese just want to live in a normal, pleasant society, free of war, where they can make theyre own decisions.

Throughout the text it is clearly evident how Greene portrays each stakeholder of 1950s Vietnam and what response they each had in relation to the Indo-China War. The integral stakeholders of 1950s Vietnam all had massive affects on the outcome of the Indo-China War. America did achieve its goal of helping Vietnam not become a communist society, while France struggled to maintain power over Vietnam because of the constant threat from the Vietminh. Unfortunately the Vietnamese citizens had to deal with constant warfare in their country for a long time. Vietnam in the 1950s was held high on the agenda for many countries, but each of their multiple objectives were very different and thus couldnt co-exist together, which created the carnage that was the Indo-China War.