We have finally reached the climax of Libra, when the assassination of JFK is laid out. With this major event spanning many pages and from many perspectives, we see a turning point in how the author depicts Lee.
Previously, the matter of how DeLillo refers to Lee was discussed in class. At the beginning of the novel, we meet young, troubled teenager Lee. Then we meet Marine Ozzie the Rabbit, defector Comrade Oswald (aka Alek), Hidell, and O.H. Lee, among his many other aliases. Finally, after the assassination, as DeLillo brings us back to Lee's point of view as he sits in his cell and contemplates his future, we see DeLillo finally refer to Lee using the familiar three names of "Lee Harvey Oswald." Like earlier in the novel, DeLillo calling Lee by a new name signifies a change in Lee's life, mentality, and place in history.
At the same time, although Lee has become the notorious Lee Harvey Oswald who is known for assassinating JFK, we still see that Lee Harvey Oswald is the familiar, bumbling Lee whose short life we have followed through the novel. Sitting on his cot in the jail cell, Lee reaches one of his strange epiphanies again. He realizes that he now has a place in history as the man who murdered JFK, and that he will be known as Lee Harvey Oswald. Only, this epiphany is actually not a delusional one - Lee is right for once.
Finally, when Lee himself is shot and killed by Jack Ruby, he seems to make a final impression on history as he stares right at the camera and observes his death. DeLillo finally allows poor Lee to get a stab at making another mark in history, right as he dies.
I like how DeLillo makes the novel come full circle, making the reader (and Lee ask): did Lee succeed? Did he make his mark in history the way he wanted to? On one hand, yes, he goes down in history. On the other hand, I don't think it was the way he wanted to be remembered.
ReplyDeleteIt's then interesting to consider, was Lee right all this time? This is pretty metafictional since we knew the whole time that Lee would have a historical impact, and in some ways even though we want to dismiss his historical impact maybe DeLillo is asking us to consider if Lee is some sort of metafictional prophet whose impact is only known to us readers.
ReplyDeleteI really like the way that DeLillo uses Lee's name throughout the novel to show how he is changing as a character. When he was first introduced to us as Lee, I didn't really connect him at all to the Lee Harvey Oswald that we all know. The name Lee does a good job of disconnecting us from the preconceived ideas surrounding his full name and allows us to focus on Lee as more of an individual person. Also allowing us to examine in Lee what would drive him to assassinate the president.
ReplyDeleteThoughts Of Buell Wesley Frazier.He made money from demise JFK/LHO by interviews tv shows & reporters for newspapers as well as books? He may used it to make his life better with house ,car &etc? Buell Wesley Frazier Original Story couldnt be changed by the powers to be and He didn't want to get into Trouble by _? Buell Wesley Frazier claim LHO didn't talk but only get talk about his kids? So it was a quiet ride from irving tx to Dallas tx Unless Buell talked all time or The radio was playing?Buell own gun as well LHO& Buell bro in law Wm Randle own gun as well Tsbd employees own guns any one of them could brought _into Tsbd used there?Did you see how Buell claim LHO held paper bag & He claim it was such such long?Remenber Buell in military He had held guns in march in such such way&taught to Shoot guns?Buell11-22-63 would of went along with story as he said DPD threaten him &He's Texas poor ole boy live with his sister Linnie her husb wm?This at time of 1960s when racist bigotry biast issues came into play even a black man/cuban man could shot at JFK because of their opinions?Even Lbj in car behind JFK took oath plane curry witness it So Dallas _behind Lbj all the way?? Nixon left plane about time of _?Without Buell & Linnie their would not be brown paper bag curtain rod story?Jack Doughtry tsbd Employee saw LHO enter Tsbd claim LHO empy hands?LHO said he patsy he trouble cause he lived in_ and work _ tsbd?census 1950. Huntsville Walker Tx.Dave F Williams age 59.dob1891 head.wife Essie M Williams age44 dob 1906, children:Wesley Frazier age5 dob1945 stepson, Dorothy D Frazier age12,Linnie M Frazier 16.Census1940.us Rural,cass texas u.s.Head Elbert Frazier age34.wife Essie M Frazier age34. children:Linnie M Frazier age6,Dorothy D Frazier2yr. Marriage Essie Mae Jones to Elbert Frozer. august 18,1928.Bowie Texas.U.S.A. Children Birth Linnie Mae Frazier Daughter F Bowie Texas. parents Elbert Frazier and Linnie Mae Frazier.Children Birth Dorothy May Darleen Frazier(Boyle) Nov3,1937. Father Elbert Eunice Frazier Mother Essie Mae Jones.(Husb Wm E Randle 1934-2014)Children: Buell Wesley Frazier June4,1944 Harris Tx.father Elbert Eunice Frazier mother Essie Mae Jones. Esie Mae Jones Williams dob 9-11-1905.dod.11-4,1974. Elbert Eunice Frazier dob 2-20-1906 cas co tx. dod.10-24-1993 harris co tx. Spouses Essie m1928 Mertie m 1947. Buell Wesley Frazier Wife Betty.(betty F Lester.)buell Wesley Frazier Wife Beverly J Frazier june7,1962.age 18 dev Nov20,1987 Dallas texas.Buell W Frazier b1944 married Beverly J Perry june7,1969 age25 Dallas Texas.
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