Study Guide

The Quiet American Part 3, Chapter 1: Section 5

By Graham Greene

Part 3, Chapter 1: Section 5

Truin hosts Fowler at the opium house than evening, but doesn't smoke.
He explains that the day's bombing doesn't bother him as their risk was as great as their target's. He detests napalm bombing, however. It's done from a distance and in safety.
Fowler again says he's not involved, but Truin tells him he'll take sides some day.
Disagreeing, Fowler tells him he's going back to England now that his girl has left him.
They talk of justice.
Truin describes the first time he dropped napalm—it was on the village where he was born. He knew the baker and other residents.
They compare love and war.
Later, on the advice of Truin, Fowler sleeps with another woman, or tries to. The memory of Phuong drains him of desire.