The Quiet American, by Graham Greene, revolves around the relationship between two men in the midst of the French-Vietnamese conflict. Fowler is an experienced reporter who doesn't believe in God and lacks any serious ideals. Pyle is a young, innocent, and idealistic American. Although they are quite different, Pyle and Fowler are strongly attracted to each other. In the course of their relationship Pyle saves Fowler, steals Fowler's mistress Phuong, and is then betrayed by Fowler to be killed by the Communists. Both of the characters are good men, but the irony is that they both possess traits needed by the other to be complete (Kelly 72). The Quiet American shows how "innocence and idealism in a fallen world", and the "timidity of living an uncommitted life" (Kelly 68) can have destructive results.

Upon meeting Pyle, Fowler immediately recognizes his innocent nature. He says, "innocence is like a dumb leper...