Child 44 Theme of Lies and Deceit

As a Soviet secret agent, Leo Demidov is an expert in the art of deception. Sometimes he tricks regular citizens into willingly giving away their freedom. Sometimes he lies to his family to cover up the true nature of his chosen career. Sometimes he even lies to his coworkers, well aware that they'd gleefully rat him out given the opportunity. In Child 44, we see what happens when Leo is driven from his high-ranking position and forced to endure the same manipulative tactics he's used on countless innocent people. As it turns out, it doesn't feel so good on the other side. Fancy that.

Questions About Lies and Deceit

  1. How do Leo's skills in deception help him while on the run?
  2. In what ways are Raisa's preconceptions about her husband shattered?
  3. Does Leo practice self-deception? Explain.
  4. How does Andrei use deception to elude capture?