How does Smiley use his own loneliness and boredom—as well as other personal issues—to his advantage in pursuit of the mole? Is he successful?

Prideaux and Smiley are both men who have been betrayed by their lovers. How were they betrayed? How do they manage to deal with betrayal?

To what extent is Alleline a victim of his own ambition? Who else suffers because of Alleline’s desperate need for power?