Her instinct was to defend, to hoard the treasures of her life, to build about herself the symbols of normal existence

Her instinct was to defend, to hoard the treasures of her life, to build about herself the symbols of normal existence

In the world of John le Carré's espionage novels, the characters are often faced with the difficult task of navigating a treacherous and unpredictable landscape. They must constantly be on guard, protecting themselves and their secrets from those who would seek to exploit or betray them. This theme of defense and hoarding is a central motif in many of le Carré's works, as his characters struggle to maintain a sense of normalcy in a world that is anything but.

One of the most compelling examples of this theme can be found in le Carré's novel "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy." In this novel, the protagonist, George Smiley, is a retired intelligence officer who is called back into service to uncover a Soviet mole within the British Secret Service. As Smiley delves deeper into the world of espionage, he must constantly be on guard, protecting himself from those who would seek to thwart his investigation and undermine his efforts.

Throughout the novel, Smiley's instinct is to defend himself and hoard the treasures of his life, both literal and metaphorical. He surrounds himself with symbols of normal existence – his books, his pipe, his quiet domestic life – in an attempt to shield himself from the chaos and danger that surrounds him. In doing so, Smiley creates a facade of normalcy that belies the true nature of his work and the challenges he faces.

This theme of defense and hoarding is not limited to Smiley alone. In many of le Carré's novels, the characters are forced to confront their own vulnerabilities and weaknesses, and to protect themselves from those who would seek to exploit them. Whether they are intelligence officers, diplomats, or ordinary citizens caught up in the machinations of the spy world, le Carré's characters must constantly be on guard, defending themselves and hoarding the treasures of their lives in order to survive.