Outside Reading 2

Jason Bourne has taken over the story and is rushing through all problems that he encounters like there is no tomorrow. Bournes mindset dictates this quick course of action and although actions seem to be taken without thought Bournes instincts have taken over and are in general, correct. When he is in the Jungle searching for an assassin we see the action flashing by. "Spinning, Bourne leaped to his right then to his left, then fell to the ground, his eyes on the running man. He could not let him get away"(240) We see the fast paced way that Ludlum tells Bourne's story and this gives the reader a feeling of how the character of Bourne is thinking, or isn't. This is how Bourne handles many conflicts in the novel and gives these same conflicts a different feel.

Bourne's wife Marie becomes caught up in a similar situation to her husband and acts in a way that reflects her husband but also her own personality. She is a very direct woman but is less active and quick than Bourne. Because of this she is able to think more about her actions and make more calculated decisions. This does not always yield better results than Bournes instinctive actions but makes the reader feel like things are less risky and will definitely succeed. For instance she says to herself, "Oh you're all doing exactly what I wanted you to do. Predictable Bureucrats."(172). She says this in reaction to the guards and doctors that are holding her captive in a hospital. She had been working for days on making the doctors think she was going crazy by refusing to eat, randomly moving and walking around the hospital, and manipulating her bodily functions to abnormal levels. She is able to escape because of this but it took quite a long time and a great amount of thought. This is a much different approach than her husband would have used but was no less effective.

Jason Bourne and his wife have two very different ways of handling conflicts both of which are very effective but take a much different approach. While Marie takes time to think, plan and act, Bourne uses his instincts and acts quickly without considering many of the consequences. Bourne's approach works well for him because he has effective senses and is able to make decisions quick and Marie's works well for her because she can see whats coming.