A thrilling novel about loyalty and its many forms.
Variances of Loyalty
The novel The Spy who Came in from the Cold is a story of spies and their loyalties, be that to each other or to their countries and beliefs, each character represented loyalty differently.
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Britain & Democracy:
In this book, Leamas is completely loyal to his country and the Circus. He stays isolated form others and know that ultimately he will choose the Circus over any connection he has made. Control represents the Circus and its mission to protect Britain and democracy. However, Control is only loyal to that mission and is bothered with the betrayal towards Leamas in sending him to unknowingly protect Mundt. |
Alec Leamas:
Alec Leamas is a moral man to the extent that he has beliefs and values that he will not go against. This fuels him as an agent but also as he hoped to get revenge on Mundt. He is loyal to the Circus' cause and to his country as an agent. Leamas is also eventually loyal to Liz, ending in his choice to choose her over his original ties after finding he had been betrayed and that Mundt was a double agent. Quote: "For a moment he hesitated, then quite slowly he climbed back down the same rungs, until he was standing beside her. She was dead... They seemed to hesitate before firing again...finally they shot him, two or three shots" (Le Carre, 225). Here at the end of the novel, Leamas is now loyal to Liz, ending in his choice to choose her over his original ties after finding he had been betrayed and that Mundt was a double agent. |
Liz Gold:
Liz Gold is an important character because she is a contradiction in the norm of the story. While she is the most innocent and good character of the novel she also holds the Communist ideals that Leamas and the Circus are fighting against. It seems that what makes Liz such a intrinsically good character is the fact that she is very loyal. She is loyal to her beliefs, in that she wants everyone to be equal and happy. She also loyal to Leamas in her love for him. She is the contrast to the main antagonist of the book. Mundt, who will and has betrayed anyone for his own gain. |