Essay/Term paper: A review: the day of the jackal

Essay, term paper, research paper:  English Literature Essays

A Review: The Day of the Jackal

Josh Holloway Period 2, English 3-4

The Day of the Jackal, written by Fredrick Forsyth, is a fictional novel that
displays the author's brilliance by setting a mood and connecting you with the
characters. The Day of the Jackal takes place in post World War II in France.
The Jackal is a professional assassin, whose name is not revealed, who is hired
by a French terrorist group to kill Charles de Gualle, the President of France.
This terrorist group has had several failed attacks on the President, and the
Jackal is their last hope.
The mood the author sets is exceptionally suspenseful. When Rodin, the
leader of the terrorist group hears of the failed attacks, the reader can feel
his frustration and hatred towards the French government. When Jean-Marie
Bastien is vigorously preparing for the first assault on de Gualle, the reader
can sense the tension in the air and the feeling of accomplishment when Bastien
says, "That's it! One hundred and fifty bullets will have passed through the
presidential car by the time it comes abreast of the van. By God we've got it."
All this points to Fredrick Forsyth's amazing mood setting talent in this novel.
The reader feels at one with the many characters as they each take part
in the many small ventures that give rise to the climax. In a scene where the
Jackal is purchasing a fake identification card, the reader can tell that the
man making the card is an expert. Not because it was mentioned, but because the
man has such a large amount of information about I.D. cards to offer. This same
writing talent that displays the characters with subtle suggestion instead of
giving specific details is also shown when the Jackal goes to purchase his
sniper rifle. It is not mentioned earlier, but the way the armorer talks about
the mechanics involved with making a gun in which the Jackal described shows
that he is one of the best in the business. Forsyth takes characterization to
new level with the Jackal. The reader gets to know the Jackal with a detached
understanding of him. Forsyth keeps him a mysterious being with no past and, as
far as the rest of the characters in the book are concerned, no present. The
reader gets to know the Jackal's meticulous personality and his great care for
every slight detail. This machine like personality, added to the fact that no
personal history beyond slight background was given, keeps the reader from
caring about the Jackal's well being. One can feel a detached fondness to this
character, and want him to succeed, but if, for instance, he was to die, one
would feel no remorse.
Fredrick Forsyth has mastered some key literary elements in a way not
thought possible before. This author, although not on the "classic book list,"
is one of the greatest writers of modern times and should, with out a doubt, be
added to that list.