Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

“But England was his love; when it came down to it, no one suffered for her.”

Jim Prideaux’s complicated relationship with love results in a deeply felt patriotism. He does not know how to reconcile his feelings for Haydon, so he dedicates himself to his country. When Prideaux suffers on his country’s behalf, when he is tortured and interrogated while captured on a mission, he does not view this as suffering. Prideaux feels as though he is simply doing his duty to the country he loves. Prideaux suffers because he cannot be with Haydon, whom he loves. As a result, Prideaux naturally equates love and suffering. He is tortured for his country just as he is tortured by his unreconciled feelings for Haydon.

“Recently, without knowing why, he had started using them again; perhaps he didn’t want her to take him by surprise.”

Smiley’s one weakness is Ann. She cheats on him regularly, but he never leaves her. He is aware of the way this dedication to an unfaithful lover makes him appear to others, so he strives to soothe his damaged ego. Smiley is an excellent spy, so he uses his spy craft to make him feel better about Ann. She may be unfaithful to him, but he is able to demonstrate to himself that he is intelligent and worthy regardless of her behavior. Smiley has used these techniques to avoid pain and detection for years.