The Spy Who Came in from the Cold Papers & Assignment Topics

Essay Topics/Writing Assignments

These 20 essay questions can be used as essay questions on a test, or as stand-alone essay topics for a take-home or in-class writing assignment. Students should have a full understanding of the text in order to answer these questions. They ask for a thorough analysis of the text.

1. The title of the book can be seen as having multiple meanings. Take a position about what you think the title means, and provide examples from the text that demonstrate Leamas' time "in the cold," a time when he is considering coming in from the cold, and a time when he has clearly come in from the cold.

2. Would The Spy Who Came in from the Cold's characters' personal struggles change if placed in a more modern-day situation (for example, a British spy during the Iraq war)? Support your answer by using 3 specific examples,...
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