The Third Man

Main Ideas

• Exploration of moral ambiguity and immorality in post-war society.
• The theme of betrayal and friendship, how personal relationships can change under pressure.
• Questions about the nature of evil and human conscience, how people justify their actions.
• Depiction of a ruined and divided Vienna as a metaphor for moral and physical chaos.
• Conflict between idealism and cynicism, as different characters embody these opposing worldviews.
• The role of chance and fate in people's lives, how unexpected events can alter the course of events.
• The theme of corruption and moral decay in society, how war and its aftermath affect people.