He sees passion in her gray eyes, and it scares him as all passion scares him, his own included

He sees passion in her gray eyes, and it scares him as all passion scares him, his own included

John le Carré, the master of espionage and intrigue, is known for his complex characters and intricate plots. In his novels, passion is often a driving force behind the actions of his characters, both for good and for ill. The line “He sees passion in her gray eyes, and it scares him as all passion scares him, his own included” perfectly encapsulates the conflicting emotions that passion can evoke in le Carré’s world.

In le Carré’s novels, passion is often a double-edged sword. On one hand, it can drive characters to great heights of bravery and determination, pushing them to risk everything for what they believe in. This is seen in characters like George Smiley, who is driven by his passion for justice and truth to uncover the secrets of the intelligence world. However, passion can also lead characters astray, blinding them to the consequences of their actions and causing them to make dangerous choices. This is seen in characters like Rick Pym in “A Perfect Spy”, whose passion for his own image and reputation ultimately leads to his downfall.

The fear that passion evokes in le Carré’s characters is a reflection of the author’s own ambivalence towards strong emotions. Le Carré himself was a former intelligence officer, and his experiences in the world of espionage no doubt shaped his views on passion and its consequences. In his novels, passion is often portrayed as a dangerous force that can lead characters down dark and treacherous paths. This fear of passion is not limited to his characters, but is also present in le Carré himself, as he grapples with the complexities of human emotion and the destructive power of unchecked desire.