Captain Trouin's The Quiet American
"The wars between people are a reflection of our own inner conflict and fear." This discerning sentiment from Jack Kornfield is a true testimony of the state of an individual plagued by constant conflict. Throughout history, individuals and communities have been affected by social turmoil, wars and depravity. The survivors of such conflict are faced with the challenge of re-establishing a sense of normality and are often forced to create a new life. Conflict changes the way people think about their lives, as the traumatic experience tests their prior values and beliefs. Some will be haunted by dark memories, guilt and shame, impairing their ability to lead a stable and satisfactory life. These individuals may become disheartened and depressed
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Our perception of the world around us is built upon the conflict of ideas which takes place in our own minds and so it is almost impossible to validate our viewpoint with others. These disagreements present us with generally inexperienced sensations which may, in fact, support our preconceptions. Captain Trouin in the novel 'The Quiet American', unlike Fowler, is certain of his drive in Vietnam. His experience of "bombing defenceless villages" has tormented him to the horrors of the world as he seeks refuge within his purpose. By fighting for his "friends" he maintains a point of concrete security in an ever uncertain world. His experiences in Vietnam have merely given "greater weight" and meaning to his convictions, unlike Fowler's which are challenged by Trouin himself - urging him to "take a side" in the conflict - and echoed by various characters, such as Mr Heng and Vigot, throughout the novel. Through experience we gain understanding; indeed it is this principle that modern education is based. The almost always unique nature of conflict grants us with a superior understanding by way of it broadening our perception of the world. Despite occasionally causing trauma, and piercing through our lives, conflict is a force, an energy which can prove beyond our former conceptions which we hold dear
Our perception of the world around us is built upon the conflict of ideas which takes place in our own minds and so it is almost impossible to validate our viewpoint with others. These disagreements present us with generally inexperienced sensations which may, in fact, support our preconceptions. Captain Trouin in the novel 'The Quiet American', unlike Fowler, is certain of his drive in Vietnam. His experience of "bombing defenceless villages" has tormented him to the horrors of the world as he seeks refuge within his purpose. By fighting for his "friends" he maintains a point of concrete security in an ever uncertain world. His experiences in Vietnam have merely given "greater weight" and meaning to his convictions, unlike Fowler's which are challenged by Trouin himself - urging him to "take a side" in the conflict - and echoed by various characters, such as Mr Heng and Vigot, throughout the novel. Through experience we gain understanding; indeed it is this principle that modern education is based. The almost always unique nature of conflict grants us with a superior understanding by way of it broadening our perception of the world. Despite occasionally causing trauma, and piercing through our lives, conflict is a force, an energy which can prove beyond our former conceptions which we hold dear