The Impact of Trauma on Identity

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The story is told in a non-linear fashion, and a great deal of the novel is made up of flashbacks and memories that Magnus has from his childhood, specifically memories dealing with his father. What we can understand from Magnus's character is that his occupation as a spy is psychologically taxing—which is something that he needs—and his father's death only adds to this psychological trauma, particularly because we find through Pym's flashbacks that his father, Rick, was not a very "good" man and often acted in ways that were selfish and manipulative.

Though he excels in his work as a spy (in large part due to the influence of his father), Magnus is clearly traumatized by the nature of his work, which requires that he juggle multiple identities. He is also haunted by the idea that he is following in his father's footsteps. After navigating multiple identities for so long, Magnus appears to have lost his sense of self, referring to his younger self in third-person as "Pym." This may also explain his shifting allegiances and the ultimate betrayal of his country: he has given away so much of his loyalty in the course of his work that he no longer feels personal loyalty to anyone or anything.

The Complexity of Father-Son Relationships

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The father-son relationships explored in the novel are by far one of the most important elements of the story, as are the psychological effects of extreme stress and emotional trauma. John le Carré explores these ideas through his characterization of Magnus, Magnus's choices, and how he is able to cope with his circumstances. Readers learn that many of Magnus's decisions are related to his father, Rick. Magnus chooses a particularly demanding occupation to fill the void left by his broken relationship with his father. In fact, Magnus credits his father, who was a con man, with cultivating in him the characteristics that make him "a perfect spy"—in particular a strong sense of suspicion and a willingness to deceive.

Magnus describes the feeling he gets from his career as "the pleasure of being really well run." Thus, the occupation he has as a high-level spy sustains him in some way—perhaps by preventing him from reflecting on the trauma of his past. When his father's funeral arrives, however, Magnus takes this opportunity to explain his life to his own son, Tom, in the hope of preventing Tom from following in his footsteps.

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