Literature: The Quiet American

Though Palm’s notion that Fowler exhibits Eurocentric racism and paternalism is true to an extent, this accusation fails to consider the complexities of Fowler’s character, whose sympathy towards Vietnamese victims of imperialism reveals his morality.

Greene’s strategic use of juxtaposition to contrast Fowler and Pyle reveals to reader Fowler’s genuine care and concern for Vietnamese people.

Pyle’s racism leads to innocent deaths as he fails to comprehend the violent consequences of his actions steeped in Eurocentric racism.

In this sense, Palm’s argument is severely undermined through his misrepresentation of Fowler, neglecting to recognise Greene’s insightful juxtaposition of Pyle and Fowler as this reveals Fowler’s moral concern for the Vietnamese civilians as victims of Pyle and war.

Conversely, Fowler’s complex relationship with Phuong and Vietnamese people are indicative of paternalistic racism which aligns with Palm’s argument.

This is indicative of Fowler’s infantilization of Vietnamese, portraying them as in need of guidance from their superior Western counterpart.

Greene’s deliberate choice of language explicitly highlights to readers Fowler’s inherent Eurocentric perspective, a significant undertone of his narration.

Fowler’s Eurocentric racism is evident in his interactions with Vietnamese women as he consistently denigrates and dehumanises them.

Overall, this supports Palm’s argument as these linguistic choices demonstrates Fowler’s dehumanising comparisons as indicative of his Eurocentracism.