Identity

The identity of both he protagonist and the antagonist are unclear. In the case of the antagonist, Carlos, his identity is unknown to those trying to find him. The protagonist, Bourne's, identity however is unknown to himself. Others know who Bourne is but he does not. Carlos knows who he is but others do not. This is the central theme of the story. Bourne is trying to find his own identity while also finding Carlos'.

Bourne is known by many names in the novel, he has many identities. His real name is David Webb but he does not know this until the end of the novel. He has taken the identity of a man he killed, Jason Bourne. He is also known as Delta during his time in Medusa and as Cain under the Treadstone Seventy-One project. When his memory is erased, all of these identities are confused...