THe Quiet American - Pyle is nice and reliable. Discuss

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Ms. Hei says Pyle is ‘nice and reliable’

        In Graham Greene’s The Quiet American Ms. Hei compares Pyle to Fowler and states that Pyle is “… a nice and reliable”.  On the surface, he seems to be decent, trustworthy and reliable and he has the sincere intention of helping the Vietnamese.  However, ultimately we see that Phuong’s sister is wrong.  Pyle is arrogant, believing in the absolute power of America to control Vietnam and fight communism.  It is al revealed that Pyle is dishonest, as he lies about his real as an undercover agent, and does not care what the casualties from his actions may be just that he obtains the political outcome he believes is best.  In the end, Pyle is not ‘nice and reliable’

        The first impression of Pyle would suggest he is, a ‘nice’, young man, who is decent, polite and chivalrous.  He regularly attends church service and believes in God.  Fowler describes Pyle as “a good chap in his way.  Serious.  Not one of those noisy bastards at the Continental.”  This description further emphasizes how Pyle in his first appearance is a conspicuously ‘quiet’ American in comparison to his fellow countrymen, like the drunken Granger.  When he visits the House of Five Hundred Girls he is horrified at the exploitation of the prostitutes saying “It’s terrible…I wouldn’t have believed”, while Granger uses their services, Pyle wants to help the prostitutes, “they were so pretty”.  He also insisted on removing Phuong from a vulgar act after dinner saying “It’s not at all suitable”.  Moreover, what makes Pyle acceptable in Ms. Hei’s eyes is the fact that he is willing to marry Phuong, whereas many other Western men abandon their Vietnamese girlfriends.  The situation also establishes that Pyle is very honorable as he risks his life to tell Fowler about his love for Phuong and insists he “wouldn’t split up a man from his wife.”  Pyle also saves Fowler’s life at the watchtower, even though the Englishman is his rival for Phuong.  Therefore, Pyle appears to be ‘nice’

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        Pyle can also be described as decent, because he is willing to ‘take a side’.  Pyle truly believes in democracy that “If Indo-China goes, Siam goes …” thus he wants to help the Vietnamese.  To him, it is his duty to assist Vietnam in the fight against Communism, regardless of the cost to himself.  He believes that Vietnam is entitled to liberty.  He is willing to risk his life, unlike Fowler who does not even take a side.  Whenever Fowler criticizes York Harding, Pyle fervently defends Harding’s work.  It is Pyle’s willingness to take a side that makes him appear much ...

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