Badminton

Badminton symbolizes a mental battle and a meeting of the minds. Nat describes his conversation with Arkady as badminton to Arkady's son. Nat and Ed's badminton games represent their battling of convictions, which Ed ultimately wins.

Stammtisch

Stammtisch represents Ed's intense political rants. Le Carré uses the physical setting of the table to give physicality to Ed's rants and emphasize their significance.

Handshake.

Handshakes symbolize cultural allegiance. Ed uses a German up-and-down handshake throughout the Novel, and Anastasia uses this handshake when she meets with Ed.

Skiing

Skiing and the Ski lift symbolizes Nat and Steff's fragmented relationship. Their conversation on the ski lift is fragmented by when Steff goes downhill ahead of Nat, not waiting for him. Skiing thus represents Steff's desire to depart from Nat's values, especially now that she realizes his true occupation.

Fire

Fire symbolizes passion and moral conviction. Nat notes "the...