Theme Analysis: Angels and Demons by Dan Brown

Throughout history a people’s hopes have enabled them to triumph against all odds. The militiamen of colonial America were able to protect their independence from the British, who at the time had the largest, most powerful military in the world. In more recent years, the passengers of a commercial airliner included in the 9/11 tragedy were able to crash their plane before it reached its unknown, but surely, life-devastating destination. These were ordinary people were able to overtake armed, savagely trained terrorists. They were empowered by the hope of saving lives, which they did through their brave sacrifice. This kind of hope inspires many emotions and feelings. It allows people to convince themselves that what they want to happen will happen. This effect travels far beyond the mind. As hope strengthens ones mental ability, it allows a person to fully utilize him or herself. This hope is both a drive and inspiration. It works for positive and negative causes, but it does work to strengthen and empower a person. In the novel, Angels and Demons, by Dan Brown, several characters are empowered by hope; a hope that is the inspiration that causes people to be all that they can be.

Robert Langdon, a scholar of religious symbology and professor at Harvard University, made a life changing decision based on hope. Langdon was phoned by a total stranger in the middle of the night. This stranger, Maximillian Kohler, was demanding to see Langdon in person. Langdon rejected this demand, but he soon changed his mind after being sent a fax of a dead body. Branded on the dead body was an eerie symbol both unknown and familiar to Langdon. Langdon recognized the symbol to be the symbol of the ancient brotherhood of the Illuminati. Langdon, and other Illuminati experts alike, have spent centuries trying to find this ancient symbol. At that moment, Langdon agreed to meet Kohler’s demands and be flown to Kohler’s headquarters.

Langdon’s hope overshadowed all his thoughts of doubt. Langdon’s hope to solve all the many mysteries of the Illuminati caused his self to meet this unknown man. Langdon’s curiosity and hope pushed him to embark on his adventure.

Through a series of events Langdon realizes that he is being called in to identify the killer of the dead body on the fax. The scientist who was killed, Leonardo Vetra, had recently created a highly combustible substance called anti-matter. This anti-matter was stolen from Vetra’s lab and it was later identified to be counting down to detonation in an unknown site of the Vatican City; The same Vatican City where the pope had recently died and where all of the head catholic cardinals from around the world were gathering to select a new pope. Langdon now assumes that the Illuminati, who are clearly behind the Vetra’s death, are attempting to destroy their long-time archenemy, the Catholic Church. Langdon then teams up with Vetra’s daughter, Vittoria Vetra, to attempt to save the Vatican City.

Vittoria Vetra is driven by two things in her quest to save Vatican City. She hopes to save the lives at stake inside the Vatican because she feels personally responsible for she was a co-creator of the large sample of anti-matter that was stolen. This hope runs off of her guilt and thrusts her into the adventure. The second thing that drove Vittoria was her hope of finding her father’s killer. Although Vittoria is already of the adventurous type, she is not the type to thrust herself into danged. But, the hope she has to avenge her fathers death enables her to set aside any fears she might have and stare danger straight in the eye.

During this crisis the bomb is not the only terrorism occurring. A character known as the Hassassin, who is the killer of Leonardo Vetra, has kidnapped the four most prestigious Cardinals. The preterite, those who are the elite in the election for pope, are held captive. The Hassassin who believes he is doing the work of Janus, leader of the Illuminati, is going to kill them according Janus’ instructions. The Hassassin does this in hopes of uniting with the Illuminati brotherhood.

The Hassassin comes from a long line of assassins dating back to the time of the original formation of the Illuminati. When he receives Janus’ call and orders, he sees it as a chance to prove himself. The Hassassin takes his actions in hope of raising himself up to the glory where he has place his ancient ancestors. He hopes that by working with Illuminati against the Catholic Church, he will have proved himself of the honor bestowed upon him by his heritage.

Robert Langdon and Vittoria Vetra enter Vatican City and soon realize that it would be fruitless searching for the lost anti-matter. The Swiss Royal Guard stationed in the Vatican are in charge of that crisis. Langdon and Vittoria soon catch wind of the missing cardinals and are leading the search to find the Hassassin before he can kill