Questions About The Third Man

by Graham Greene

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Answered Questions (5)

Who was the third man?

Clyda Mcdevitt

This answer contains spoilers… (view spoiler)

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Was Holly debriefed by the OSS/CIA when he got back to the USA?

David Yohalem He tells us early on that he has never been in the USA. Rollo Martens is an Englishman in the novel, while played by Joseph Cotton who was as undeniab…moreHe tells us early on that he has never been in the USA. Rollo Martens is an Englishman in the novel, while played by Joseph Cotton who was as undeniably American as Orson Welles in the film. Rollo and Harry Lyme had been at what Americans would call a prep school together as boys. In any case, since Colonel Calloway, is telling us the story as recounted by Rollo to him and he is the onsite representative of Scotland Yard, clearly he was debriefed.(less)

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What happened to the woman?

David Yohalem We have no idea. Presumably she stayed in Vienna or was deported to Hungary.

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First published?

David Yohalem It's a novelization of a screenplay that Greene wrote. The dedication is to Carol Reed, who directed. First published in 1950, in Great Britain.…moreIt's a novelization of a screenplay that Greene wrote. The dedication is to Carol Reed, who directed. First published in 1950, in Great Britain.(less)

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How is Holly Martins role as a confused American significant to his inability to solve the mystery of Harry Lime's death on his own?

David Yohalem He's not an American in the novel. He's English and his first name is Rollo.…moreHe's not an American in the novel. He's English and his first name is Rollo.(less)

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