AC Cold War Essay

Prior to the publication of The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, many spy novels (i.e. James Bond type books) portrayed Western intelligence agencies as being morally superior to those behind the Iron Curtain. This book along with works from other genres and formats (science fiction, satire, parody, film, television, cartoons) began to question and blur the lines between “good” and “bad,” while at the same time addressing very real societal fears. These concerns include the possibility of imminent nuclear destruction, external threats from “the bad guys,” and the internal threat of the enemy within (traitors).

Write an essay in which you explain how, in combination, these works from various genres reflect and in some cases allay the fears of the day while also undermining simplistic depictions of complex situations. Evaluate how these works contribute to our understanding today of the Cold War as a world system.

Your essay should be a minimum of 500 words and typed in MLA format. You must attach a Works Cited page indicating that you are using and citing at least two different primary sources in addition to The Spy Who Came in from the Cold. You must also cite at least one secondary source as support. The Cold War Timeline may be used but is considered “common knowledge” so does not need to be cited.

The following is a list of suggestions as to how you might address the above topics/concerns using primary sources. (You must use The Spy… and at least two others.)

  • use The Spy… to evaluate the role of cynicism and the depiction of good guys and bad guys; use it to address threats associated with traitors
  • use Thirteen Days to reflect on the reality of possible nuclear war
  • use Dr. Strangelove to discuss satire and parody, as well as the absurdity associated with the potential of nuclear war
  • use Get Smart and The Twilight Zone to support the use of satire, parody, and allegory through television and science fiction as tools for addressing society’s fears
  • use Punch cartoons as reference to the use of satire

The following secondary sources are also available. (You must use at least one.)

  • “Get Smart: U.S. Spy Parody”
  • “Spy Fiction: Then and Now”
  • “Exploring the Cold War through The Twilight Zone”

This essay is due in hard copy form (including a Works Cited page) at the beginning of class on Thursday, October 23.