The Bourne Ultimatum | Themes & Symbolism

The Bourne Ultimatum Significant Topics

Hatred

The primary theme of The Bourne Ultimatum is hatred. When Carlos the Jackal learns that Jason Bourne is not dead as he had supposed, his criminal ego creates unmitigated hatred for the one man who might be a challenge to his self-proclaimed title as the world's greatest assassin. His intense hatred of Jason drives him further in to criminal insanity, which ultimately brings about his undoing.

Jason Bourne, likewise is driven by hatred, but it is only caused by Carlos' threatening his family. Bourne believes he is better than the Jackal and thinks he is the only man who can take him out. In the final analysis, neither hatred brings about the end of the Jackal. It is the American educated Russian who actually kills Carlos. Marie recognizes that Jason's strength and mobility were "filled with an inner malice, no pleasure in the accomplishment." (Page 437)

Carlos the Jackal's "army"...
(read more)