The Bourne Ultimatum, Analysis Of The Jackal.

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Joseph Bonner Mr. Morressy English 10 H P3 5 May, 2011 Litterary Analysis, The Bourne Ultimatum. The Bourne Ultimatum is a psychological action thriller written by Robert Ludlum, famed thriller author of the 70's 80's and 90's. When reading through the third and final book in the Bourne Series, as one passes through numerous failures, plots, changes in setting, and an unnecessary number of adjectives ("A screaming, pulsating siren erupted, deafening, incessant, echoing throughout the cavernous house like a sonic tornado."), the novel seems to grow from a fairly long 621 page book to being more gargantuan then the average Computer manual. Nevertheless, Robert Ludlum is able to able to penetrate through every sub plot, ambiguously important character, scheme, trap, reverse trap, and mind scrambling reverse reverse trap to deliver what is one of the most captivating psychological profile's in fiction. The novels antagonist is Venezuelan born Illrich Ramirez Sanchez, also known as Carlos the Jackal, who is based on the real life terrorist and professional assassin that has the same name. Carlos is an interesting character because despite the killings and malice there is always some silver lining that sparks questions about him. For instance, in the beginning of the book, David Webb explains to Conklin how the Jackals system works. When he tells him how the Jackal finds dying old men with no purpose in life, and promises them the delivery of upkeep to their families as long as the old men do his bidding (which is almost always something violent), Conklin exclaims, "They believed him?" (35) as if there was no question that such a sadistic killer would not follow such benevolent and generous promises. Webb corrects him, telling him of the untraceable funds that do reach the families of "the old men of Paris" upon their

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