The Irony of Individualism in Libra
In Libra, Lee Harvey Oswald is repeatedly driven by his fixation on fame. He wants to become a historical figure- someone that you see on newspapers and whose name becomes imbedded in everyone’s fundamental knowledge of American history. Throughout the book, Oswald frequently finds himself preoccupied with a new mission or goal, giving himself new names and identities. Feeling too Russian for America, Oswald travels to Russia, where he soon feels too American for Russia. Everywhere he goes, Oswald sees himself being thousands of steps ahead of everyone, maintaining an everlasting idea that he is unlike those around him. Oswald goes as far as attempting to murder the American General Walker, yet when he misses and the media coverage is sub-par, Oswald begins plotting his next attempt at fame. Seemingly obsessed with twisted interpretations of American culture in the 1900s, which supported a classic “rags to riches” storyl...