Greene, Graham: 1904-1991

The Third Man, 1950 - Thematic Parallels: Corruption

Greene, Graham: The Third Man, 1950
The main topic is moral ambiguity, betrayal, and corruption in a city divided among Allied powers.
The following books are thematically similar. They lend themselves well to being read in groups, compared with one another, or used to teach a similar topic over an extended period with a class:
- Cain, James M.: The Postman Always Rings Twice, 1934, ~100pp
  This novel is a classic noir involving crime, deception, and moral ambiguity, sharing the noir sensibility and focus on crime.
  Both works sit squarely in the noir tradition, where fate seems inevitable and morality is murky. In both, the protagonist is drawn into a world they don’t fully understand, and their perspective shapes the audience’s discovery of the corruption beneath the surface. They end with a bitter sense that justice is arbitrary, and no one really “wins.”
- Harris, Robert: Imperium, 2006, ~400pp
  This novel which explores power, corruption, and intrigue in ancient Rome, with a focus on political maneuvering and moral complexity, parallels "The Third Man’s" exploration of compromised values and clandestine dealings.
  In both works, the audience (and protagonist) slowly realizes that “good” and “bad” are not cleanly separated. They reject a neat “justice is served” conclusion, instead showing that victory in such worlds comes at a cost.
- Moore, Brian: Lies of Silence, 1990, ~210pp
  This novel focuses on political violence and moral dilemma in Northern Ireland, exploring issues of personal responsibility, betrayal, and the impact of conflict on civilians.
  Both novels depict societies in moral freefall, where political instability breeds corruption and survival often demands ethical compromises. The protagonist in each is an outsider, making them ideal lenses for the audience to confront an unfamiliar, morally complex world. This distance makes their moral choices more striking. Both works explore situations where “doing the right thing” is murky, painful, and costly.
- Orwell, George: Nineteen Eighty-Four, 1949, ~320pp
  This novel explores totalitarian control, paranoia, and political oppression, somewhat akin to the Cold War tension and moral ambiguity depicted in “The Third Man.”
  Both works reject the triumphalist narratives of postwar victory, showing instead the cynicism, betrayal, and moral darkness that remain when the war ends. Both protagonists navigate an environment where truth is slippery and enemies may be anywhere. They show that truth is not objective but is manufactured, hidden, or distorted to serve power or self-interest.
List of general discussion questions on Corruption (pdf)
List of essay prompts on Corruption (pdf)