The Bourne Identity

“The trawler plunged into the angry swells of the dark, furious sea like an awkward animal trying desperately to break out of an impenetrable swamp. The waves rose to goliathan heights, crashing into the hull with the power of raw tonnage.”

The opening lines of the novel create a mood of danger and suspense. Ludlum’s description of the setting, the Mediterranean Sea, reflects this mood, drawing the reader’s attention to the precarious position that Bourne will be in throughout the text. Ludlum’s diction with words like “furious,” “angry,” and “goliathan” convey this mood.

“The words came first. They floated in the air as the early morning breeze off the sea cooled the room.

‘Who’s there? Who’s in the room?’

Washburn sat up in the cot, moved his legs quietly over the side, and rose slowly to his feet. It was important to make no jarring note, no sudden noise or physical movement.”

In direct contrast to the chaos and danger of the sea, Bourne’s first moments of restored consciousness are of quiet and calm. This juxtaposition emphasizes the rebirth that Bourne has undergone. Pulled from the sea in a symbolic rebirth, he now faces a period of calm recovery with Dr. Washburn’s help.

“The man looked at the gun. And then, in silence, his hands and fingers moved expertly over the weapon. In less than thirty seconds it was completely dismantled. He looked up at the doctor.”

As Washburn tries to help Bourne heal, he shows him some of the things that Bourne instinctively remembers, such as how to disassemble a handgun. These first moments with Bourne’s character foreshadow his involvement with weapons and death, hinting toward the identity that will be uncovered throughout the novel.