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RAJIV GANDHI NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF LAW,

PATIALA

ENGLISH PROJECT SEMESTER – 2


Topic- The Doomsday Conspiracy

Submitted By: Submitted to:


Ayush alloli TANYA MANDER
22182 Faculty of English
Rajiv Gandhi National University of law
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Every humble being should always first honour and thank those who have supported
him/her during their journey. With that, I would want to show my thanks towards Rajiv
Gandhi National University of Law, which has allowed me to follow solid and organised
academic schemes and has added to my level of talents. Every chance I have here, every
task that I perform or hope to undertake I will always be thankful to my University.

Further, I would like to appreciate our esteemed Vice-Chancellor Dr. G.S. Bajpai for
directing the institution towards development focused and efficient academic curriculum
which helps one to discover and utilise their skills and work upon them to a higher level.

Further, I would like to thank my instructor Tanya Mander, for enabling me to select a
Topic of my choosing and then leading me from the initial rough copy to this well
researched final document. In this voyage and later, I would always be obliged to you.

Lastly, I would like to extend my letter of appreciation to my friends and family for
demonstrating trust in me in the path of this book review, they are the backbone of this
project and have encouraged me when I felt like I cannot do it longer. And God, without
your eyes on me and inner strength this endeavour would have always remained a
concept

Ayush Alloli
TABLE OF CONTENTS
………………………………………………………….

1. 2

2. Authorinformation………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3. CHARACTERS……………………………………………………………………………………………………………...............4

4. THEMES…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……5

5. exosition………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…….….7

6. cristicism…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…..8

7. conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…..9
1. AUTHOR INFORMATION

Sidney Sheldon (February 11, 1917 – January 30, 2007) was an American writer. He was
prominent in the 1930s, first working on Broadway plays, and then in motion pictures,
notably writing the successful comedy The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer (1947), which
earned him an Oscar in 1948. He went on to work in television, where over twenty years
he created The Patty Duke Show (1963–66), I Dream of Jeannie (1965–70), and Hart to
Hart (1979–84). After turning 50, he began writing best-selling romantic suspense novels,
such as Master of the Game (1982), The Other Side of Midnight (1973), and Rage of
Angels (1980).

Sheldon's 18 novels have sold over 300 million copies in 51 languages. Sheldon is
consistently cited as one of the top-10 best-selling fiction writers of all time.

Novels
In 1969, Sheldon wrote his first novel, The Naked Face, which earned him a nomination
for the Edgar Allan Poe Award from the Mystery Writers of America in the category of
Best First Novel. His next novel, The Other Side of Midnight, climbed to number one
on The New York Times Best Seller list, as did several ensuing novels, a number of which
were also made into motion pictures or TV miniseries. His novels often featured
determined women who persevere in a tough world run by hostile men.[8] The novels
contained suspense and devices to keep the reader turning the page:[8]
"I try to write my books so the reader can't put them down," he explained in a 1982
interview. "I try to construct them so when the reader gets to the end of it, he or she has
to read just one more chapter. It's the technique of the old Saturday afternoon serial: leave
the guy hanging on the edge of the cliff at the end of the chapter."
Most of his readers were women.[8] Asked why this was the case, he said: "I like to write
about women who are talented and capable, but most important, retain their femininity.
Women have tremendous power — their femininity, because men can't do without
it."[8] Books were Sheldon's favorite medium. "I love writing books," he commented.
"Movies are a collaborative medium, and everyone is second-guessing you. When you do
a novel, you're on your own. It's a freedom that doesn't exist in any other medium."[8] He
was the author of 18 novels, which have sold over 300 million copies.
Three years before his death, Los Angeles Times called Sheldon "Mr. Blockbuster" and
"prince of potboilers."1

2. PLOT AND CHARACTERS

Sidney Sheldon wrote a book called The Doomsday Conspiracy, which was released in
1991. The plot of the book centres on Robert Bellamy, a US intelligence agent tasked
with looking into a bizarre and unsettling message that NASA got from an unidentified
source. The message is a countdown to a cataclysmic disaster that will happen in a
matter of days.

As Bellamy pursues the case further, he learns that a shadowy group known as the
"Consortium" has been influencing global affairs for decades. The Consortium is an
incredibly wealthy and influential collection of people that are committed to realising
their ultimate objective, which is to create a New World Order.

The Consortium is behind the Doomsday Countdown, and Bellamy soon realises that
they are preparing for a horrific disaster that would murder millions of people. To
discover the truth and thwart the Consortium's fatal scheme, he must work quickly.

Bellamy teams up with Diane, a smart scientist, along the way to help him navigate
through the convoluted web of lies and intrigue that surrounds the Consortium. As they
strive to halt the countdown and save global catastrophe, they encounter extreme
danger and deception.

The novel is filled with thrilling action, suspense, and unexpected twists and turns. It's a
gripping tale of espionage and conspiracy that will keep readers on the edge of their
seats until the very end.

Characters

1
“Sidney Sheldon - Wikipedia.” Sidney Sheldon - Wikipedia, 7 May 2019,
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sidney_Sheldon.
1. Robert Bellamy - A US Intelligence officer who is assigned to investigate a
strange and disturbing message received by NASA. He is the protagonist of the
story, and as the plot unfolds, he becomes increasingly involved in the dangerous
world of espionage and conspiracy.

2. Diane - A brilliant scientist who assists Bellamy in his investigation. She is smart,
capable, and dedicated to uncovering the truth behind the Consortium's plans.

3. Dr. Charles Levine - A high-ranking official at NASA who plays a key role in the
investigation. He is suspicious of the Consortium and provides Bellamy with
valuable information.

4. Arthur Lansing - A powerful businessman who is part of the Consortium. He is


ruthless, cunning, and willing to do whatever it takes to achieve his goals.

5. Talbot - The head of security for the Consortium. He is a dangerous and


unpredictable man who will stop at nothing to protect the organization.

6. Mary-Louise - Lansing's wife and a member of the Consortium. She is cunning


and manipulative, using her beauty and charm to get what she wants.

7. Senator George Wyman - A US senator who is involved with the Consortium. He


is corrupt and willing to sacrifice innocent lives to further his political ambitions.

8. General Hilliard - A high-ranking military officer who is involved in the


investigation. He is a no-nonsense commander who takes his duties seriously.

9. Mario Scarpelli - A hitman who is hired by the Consortium to eliminate Bellamy


and Diane. He is a ruthless killer who enjoys his work and takes pride in his skill.

10. Dr. Karl Baermann - A brilliant scientist who is working on a top-secret project
for the Consortium. He is a reluctant participant in the organization's plans, and he
eventually becomes an ally to Bellamy and Diane.

3. SETTINGS, SYMBOLS, MOTIFS, AND


THEMES

Settings:
The Doomsday Conspiracy takes place in several locations around the world, including:

1. NASA headquarters in Washington, D.C.

2. The Consortium's headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

3. The streets of Paris, France.

4. The desert outside of Las Vegas, Nevada.

5. A remote island in the Pacific Ocean.

Symbols:

1. The Doomsday Countdown - This symbol represents the impending threat of


destruction that looms over the entire story. It is a powerful reminder of the
Consortium's goal to create chaos and destruction on a global scale.

2. The Phoenix - This symbol represents the Consortium's desire to create a new
world order out of the ashes of the old one. It is a symbol of rebirth and renewal,
but it is also a reminder of the destruction that must occur before a new world can
be built.

Motifs:

1. Betrayal - This motif is woven throughout the story, as many of the characters are
revealed to be working against each other. Betrayal is a constant threat, and it
adds tension and suspense to the plot.

2. Technology - Technology plays a significant role in the story, particularly as


Bellamy and Diane rely on advanced equipment to uncover the truth behind the
Consortium's plans. The motif of technology also highlights the power and danger
of advanced scientific research.

Themes:

1. Power and Corruption - The Doomsday Conspiracy explores the corrupting


influence of power and wealth. The Consortium is a group of wealthy and
powerful individuals who will stop at nothing to achieve their goals, even if it
means sacrificing innocent lives.

2. Freedom and Control - The theme of freedom versus control is also explored in
the novel, as the Consortium seeks to exert control over the world through their
manipulation of global events. Bellamy and Diane, on the other hand, fight for the
freedom of individuals to make their own choices and control their own destinies.
3. Truth and Deception - The theme of truth and deception is a central motif in the
novel, as the characters must constantly navigate a web of lies and half-truths in
order to uncover the truth behind the Consortium's plans. The novel asks the
question of whether the truth is worth pursuing, even if it means risking
everything.

4. EXOSTION

The prologue of The Doomsday Conspiracy sets the scene for the narrative's introduction.
The prologue introduces the reader to a puzzling communication that NASA gets from an
unidentified source. The message is a countdown to a cataclysmic disaster that will
happen in a matter of days. It leaves the reader with a sense of impending catastrophe and
a pressing want to learn what will happen.

The narrative then switches to Robert Bellamy, a US intelligence agent tasked with
looking into the odd communication received by NASA. Bellamy is an experienced agent
who is accustomed to handling challenging circumstances. He is tasked with finding the
message's origin and evaluating whether the threat it contains is real or a hoax.

Bellamy encounters Dr. Charles Levine, a senior NASA official who is wary of the
Consortium, a covert group that is thought to be responsible for the message, as he digs
deeper into the probe. Additionally, Diane, a talented scientist working on a top-secret
NASA project, is introduced to Bellamy. Together, they start to unravel a web of intrigue
and deceit that encompasses the Consortium, a strong organisation of people with great
wealth and influence who are committed to realising their ultimate objective: the creation
of a New World Order.

The novel's exposition sets the main tension of the narrative, which is the race against
time to learn the truth about the Consortium's schemes and stop the disastrous event that
is about to happen in a matter of days. The major themes of power, corruption, and the
struggle for freedom and control are also introduced in the exposition, along with the
main characters and their reasons.
5. CRITICISM

Some readers and critics have criticized the novel for its formulaic plot and stereotypical
characters. They argue that the characters are thinly drawn and lack depth, and that the
plot is predictable and formulaic. Additionally, some readers have criticized the novel for
its reliance on cliches and melodramatic plot twists.

Others have praised the novel for its fast-paced action and suspenseful plot, but have also
noted that the novel lacks emotional depth and character development. Some have also
criticized the novel for its treatment of women, suggesting that the female characters are
often portrayed as objects of desire or as secondary to the male characters.

Despite these criticisms, The Doomsday Conspiracy remains a popular thriller and has
been enjoyed by many readers. Ultimately, whether a reader enjoys the novel or not will
depend on personal taste and preference.

6. CONCLUSION

In conclusion, The Doomsday Conspiracy is a thriller novel that tells the story of a race
against time to prevent a catastrophic event orchestrated by a powerful and secretive
organization. The novel features a cast of characters that have been criticized for being
stereotypical and underdeveloped, but also praised for their roles in driving the fast-paced
action and suspenseful plot. The novel explores themes of power, corruption, freedom,
and control, while relying on symbols and motifs such as betrayal, technology, and truth
and deception to enhance its storytelling. While the novel has received some criticism for
its reliance on cliches and lack of emotional depth, it has also been enjoyed by many
readers as a thrilling and entertaining read. Ultimately, the enjoyment of the novel will
depend on personal taste and preference.

Bibliography

Author: Sidney Sheldon

Title: The Doomsday Conspiracy Publisher: William Morrow and Company

Year: 1991

ISBN: 978-0688084885

Sheldon, Sidney. The Doomsday Conspiracy. William Morrow and Company, 1991.

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