THE THIRD MAN, BY GRAHAM GREENE

GUIDE FOR DISCUSSION

CHAPTER 10
1) Why was the penicillin racket different from the others? How was it
organized?
2) Describe the penicillin racket stages (I, II and III). Why was stage III a
very serious crime?
3) What did Martins learn (know) about Harry Lime in this chapter? What
was his reaction?

CHAPTER 11
1) Why did Martins go to Anna's place?
2) What was her reaction when:
a) she saw Martins?
b) he told her what he had learnt about Lime?
3) Comment on the following words by Martins:
"But you can understand how Harry -- your Harry, my Harry--- could
have got mixed up...? I feel as though he had never really existed, that
we'd dreamed him. Was he laughing at fools like us all the time?"
4) What was Anna's reaction when Martins told her he loved her?
Comment on her words:
"But I don't even know what color your eyes are. If you had rung up just
now and asked whether you were dark or fair or wore a moustache, I
wouldn't have known". [Why is she using 3rd conditional?]
5) Comment on Martins' feelings: (p.39)
"...Whoever killed him [Harry] it was a kind of justice. Maybe I'd kill him
myself in these circumstances. .."
6) What does Anna respond?

7) Do you feel more identified with Anna's or Martin's reaction at the

news about Harry? How would you feel if you knew that your best friend
or your lover were a in a racket?
8) At the end of this chapter someone seems to be following Martins.
Could he see who it was?

CHAPTER 12
1) How did Martins explain to Calloway (the policeman) the episode of
"the stranger" at night?
2) How did Callaway interpret Martin's story about "Harry's ghost"?
3) What had happened to Anna when Martins arrived at her place?
4) How did Callaway help Anna to solve the problem?