Role of Context in Espionage and Shaping Values Essay Example Essay Example

Role of Context in Espionage and Shaping Values Essay Example Paper Role of Context in Espionage and Shaping Values Essay Introduction In the world of Espionage, how do these texts demonstrate the role of context and the individual in shaping values? In the nightmarish and brutal spy world it is often necessary to carry out certain actions to achieve a collective goal. In John Le Carre’s novel ‘Smiley’s People’ and Tony Scott’s film ‘Spy Game’ there is collectivised action to fight against the opposition, possibly losing what they stand for and in doing so jeopardising the security of their countries by embodying this double standard in their Intelligence Services. As John Le Carre said â€Å"the things we must do to protect our country are making our country not worth protecting†. It is with these tense and brutal circumstances were the true colours of countries and people transpire, were the values that individuals hold dear are tested and the underlying themes of espionage are shown. Most noticeably the themes of moral relativism and the conflict between the p ersonal and the professional stand out as lives are seen as the expected cost in the fight for the ‘greater good’. The fight for the ‘greater good’ is an integral part in espionage, both in real life experiences and in texts. In the two texts there is a belief that all is done for this greater good. Where the lies, deception and casualties are justified as a means to the greater end. This view underlines the theme of Moral Relativism and its value of the regard to human life. In Spy Game the brutality in espionage is highlighted as countries and men would sacrifice each other for the ‘greater good’. Role of Context in Espionage and Shaping Values Essay Body Paragraphs In the film we see these recurring characteristics in Bishop being tortured, Hadley being abducted and suicide bombers attempting to kill a single terrorist. In particular during a meeting between Bishop and Muir, a heated argument occurs between them where Bishop tells Muir, â€Å" . we used him and we killed him . Nathan, what are we doing here? And don’t give me some bullshit about the greater good†. In which Muir blatantly replies, as if though their is no emotion in sacrificing a life, â€Å"That’s exactly what it’s about. Because what we do is unfortunately, very necessary. And if you’re not willing to sacrifice scum like Schmidt. †. This example shows that all is done for the greater good – in this case to reveal the identity of the mole. In particular this scene uses fast-paced panning combined with zooming out on the subject Bishop to highlight his insignificance. This cinematic technique shows the confusion in Bishop’s mind as his own personal value of sanctity of life is being undermined. This is coupled with the use of a close up shot to scrutinise the face of Bishop to show his deep-seated strain. This allows the responder to see Bishop’s personal views on this theme etched on his face, his disgust and pain on what Muir has told him. It is not that Muir is entirely void of values rather Tony Scott allows the responder to grasp that the context of espionage overshadows Muir’s own values. Muir’s views his actions as being â€Å"unfortunately, very necessary†. It is through this where Muir is subjected to his own self-afflicted personal suffering at the expense for bringing about the greater good. This is expressed in him saying to Bishop â€Å"Seventy-five casualties. one dead terrorist? Yeah, happy. † The use of sarcasm shows his own discontent at his actions as he himself must face his own kind of suffering. Even though he despises that he brought about the d eaths to achieve his goal, this is what he sees is required of him. Moral Relativism and its values are also expressed in Smiley’s People whereby Karla is the ultimate moral relativist. His actions are justified by him to achieve his own personal end – to protect the identity of his daughter Tatiana. The conflict of views between Muir and Bishop highly relates to Smiley’s People as shown between Smiley and Karla. Yet it is with a sense that Karla and Smiley share something common although with different views on values. Karla is described as â€Å"a man to whom the killing came first, questioning later† where Smiley is not simply doing the job of eliminating foreign spies rather his job encompasses dreams and personality. Le Carre uses juxtaposition of Karla against Smiley as they can both be seen as similar entities. When faced against each other they both saw something hence â€Å"perhaps each for that second did see in the other something of himselfâ € . Yet, it is the absence of moral values from Karla as to where he and Smiley separate. Smiley showed regard for human life and the need that his actions should not bring devastation to the innocent. Yet Karla’s values are ultimately shaped by his individual situation concerning Tatiana and his position within the world of espionage. Karla’s disregard to human life is revealed through the killing of Kirov, Vladimir, Leipzig and the attempted murder of Ostrakova – all for the sake of Tatiana. Smiley is also faced with personal demons but through his experiences with Karla he is able to defeat them. The quote â€Å"an unholy vertigo seized him as the very evil he had fought against seemed to reach out and possess him and claim him despite his striving† which uses hyperbole to represent his immense struggle and where Karla succumbs to this evil, Smiley powers through it. In the end the fight to defeat him has not left him scarred in the likeness of Karl a, rather it has left him with a sense of control. This view is similar to Spy Game whereby Bishop says to Muir â€Å"I’m done with the reasons, Nathan. I’m not ending up like you. Both Smiley and Bishop require there values to be shaped by what they believe in, not to be shaped for them by the people and situations around them. Another common theme to espionage is the conflict between the personal and the professional. It is seen that a balance between the personal and the professional can not occur as the context of espionage requires the individual’s complete and undivided attention. In Spy Game Bishop’s experiences with Schmidt makes things personal, as he calls out to him â€Å"my wife, my children! †. The use of the black and white editing technique in this scene indicates that the situation has shifted from the perceived reality. That is, the view of values has changed from the coloured and clear world of Muir where everything is done for t he greater good, to this black and white world were things are not as clear to perceived and are beyond control. In particular Tony Scott employs the full array of modern camera techniques such as fast motion, reverse zooms and lenses to create the most realistic approach to this scene, to indicate the frustration and confusion of Bishop as to what has just been done. It shows that Bishop has finally become subjective and emotive rather than being objective and detached from other individuals around him. This camera movement is similar in scenes involving Hadley to show that Muir has underestimated Bishop’s feelings. Muir shows by rescuing Bishop that he is not entirely void of emotion or considerably â€Å"playing by the rules of the game† rather his own personal values have been shaped by his individual experiences; that of his times with Bishop. The conflict between the personal and the professional is also found in Smiley’s People. The inclusion of emotion i n their profession is destructive, as there needs to be rational decisions made rather than those that are personal and emotive. In particular the use of jargon in their profession is necessary to prevent emotional connection. Such words as â€Å"honey traps, no doubles† adds a simplistic and disconnected feel to otherwise horrific situations. This disconnection leads to some division whereby Smiley sees his professional life completely governing his personal. As we know â€Å"Smiley would have promised Karla immunity from prosecution for complicity in the murder of Vladimir† to bring about his defection. Even though Vladimir was a friend, Smiley’s need to defeat Karla overshadowed justice in convicting Vladimir’s killers. The values presented with this theme are those that are most objectified in espionage. The values that love and honesty lie above professional conduct and personal feeling is more important than the requirement of the job are explored b y both composers. In both texts there are conflicting views, presented through Smiley and Bishop. Where Bishop is still young he sees these values as being important compared to Smiley who’s life has passed by with disappointment. Smiley was told by Ann â€Å"how can you love the living if you do not even mourn for the dead†, his many losses throughout his life both in war and personally; the infidelities of Ann and loss of Vladimir have caused his values to suffer. In the end Bishop honestly confesses his true nature telling Hadley â€Å"my name’s Tom†. This leads him to object against Muir who believes that when the professional and the personal interact problems occur. These ‘problems’ are similar to Karla attempting to carry out his profession while also trying to protect his daughter, which leads to his downfall. Nevertheless, Smiley’s People and Spy Game both indicate that the world of espionage is one steeped with its themes and values. The context of espionage and the individual take the role of shaping values. Yet it is not only the individuals decision as to how their values shape rather the profession takes its own charge against individuals, either positively shaping values the individuals stand for or fuelling the negativity in the values the individuals believed they were there to prevent. 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