Because Lin is a fugitive, he can never fully feel free. He is always in danger of being exposed and returned to prison, and, even when not in prison, his actions are largely controlled by others—for instance, his actions in India and Afghanistan are controlled by Khan, and he overtly gives Karla the power to keep him near her or push him away. However, there are other types of freedom. Lin is never sure whether freedom is always the absence of captivity or whether freedom must also include the presence of something—namely, the presence in one’s life of the power to control one’s own actions and choices.

Lin’s view of what constitutes legitimate freedom and power changes over the course of the novel. Early on, Didier describes power to Lin in terms of Karla: “You know the kind of power I’m talking about, don’t you? Real power. The power to make men shine like the stars, or crush them to dust. The power of secrets. Terrible, terrible secrets. The power to live without remorse or regret” (56). Karla’s ability to exert power over others gives her freedom to act as she pleases. Karla has this freedom because she doesn’t allow herself to feel love or duty to anyone else by avoiding love for others.