How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"Look!" cried the crewman. "Look at his eyes." "What about them?" asked the brother. "A moment ago they were gray—as grey as steel cables. Now they're blue!" "The sun's brighter," said the skipper, shrugging. "Or it's playing tricks with your own eyes. No matter, there's no color in the grave." (1.43-46)
If Bourne's chameleon eyes are no color, and there's no color in the grave, then Bourne's a dead man. When he rises again, he's a kind of zombie—it's the dead dispensing death. Every time Bourne shoots someone, imagine that instead he eats their brains.
Quote #2
Someone who thought he was dead —wanted him dead—knew he was alive. (3.148)
Seeing someone alive means wanting that person dead. Here, this logic is applied to Bourne, but it works throughout the novel, where thugs pop up andreveal themselves to be alive, only to be immediately targeted for death. Certain lives area kind of challenge or obstacle to be solved by murder.
Quote #3
"I want to live," he said. "Come on. Remember, when I open the door, look at me and smile, tilt your head back, laugh a little."
"It will be the most difficult thing I've ever done."
"It's easier than dying." (5.196-198)
Ludlum pulls off some fun hard-boiled zingers like "There's no color in the grave," or "It's easier than dying." This conversation is between Bourne, who has kidnapped Marie, and Marie, who really doesn't feel like laughing. And in response, Bourne is hard-nosed and ironic. Husband material, right?