The Quiet American

Style and Technique

The novel "The Quiet American" by Graham Greene is distinguished by its concise and precise style, which allows for a deep immersion into the atmosphere of 1950s Vietnam. Greene uses a restrained yet expressive language to convey complex political and moral dilemmas. One of the key literary techniques is the use of contrast between characters: Fowler, the cynical British journalist, and Pyle, the idealistic American. This juxtaposition underscores themes of naivety and cynicism, as well as moral ambiguity. The structure of the novel is nonlinear, with the use of flashbacks, allowing the backstory and motivations of the characters to be gradually revealed. Greene also skillfully uses dialogues to develop characters and advance the plot, creating tension and intrigue. The description of the environment and everyday details helps to create a vivid picture of the time and place, enhancing the realism of the narrative.