The Ugly American
Introduction + Context
Plot Summary
Detailed Summary & Analysis
Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21
Themes
All Themes The Failure of the American Foreign Service Communism vs. Capitalism Grassroots Development Self-Interested Philanthropy Racism and Cultural Insensitivity
Quotes
Characters
All Characters Gilbert MacWhite Homer Atkins Louis Sears James “Tex” Wolchek Thomas Knox Monet John Colvin Louis Krupitzyn Father Finian Edwin B. Hillandale George Swift Prince Ngong Deong Ruth Jyoti Solomon Asch Boning Emma Atkins Jeepo Senator Jonathan Brown U Maung Swe Arthur Alexander Gray Dr. Hans Barre Joe Bing Bob Maile Marie MacIntosh Li Pang Jim Davis
Terms
All Terms Sarkhan / Sarkhanese
Symbols
All Symbols Ugliness
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The Ugly American

by

Eugene Burdick and William J. Lederer
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The Ugly American Symbols

Ugliness

Homer Atkins’s ugliness, which makes him the “ugly American” of the novel’s title, symbolizes his practicality, humility, and excellent work ethic. Atkins attends a meeting in Vietnam with a number of French, American, and…

read analysis of Ugliness

Ugliness Symbol Icon
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