New Orleans
Something that I think was a really interesting piece of symbolism and foreshadowing was the chapter In New Orleans, a chapter that fundamentally sets a pretext for the entire novel in a way that I didn't quite appreciate until looking back at it. A little sample of the story is laid out, to the point where I wonder if it was not fictionalized for the express purpose. Three major events stood out to me.
The first laying out of his plans occur with "He would find a communist cell and become a member. He would find a cell, be given tasks to prove himself." This is the first reflection of his desire to find the storied land, and his consequent defection, and upon dissatisfaction with his ability to prove himself and rise in the ranks, reach fame and influence, his attempts to defect to Cuba.
The book also makes explicit another part of his quest, another stage in this journey, with the constant references to the Marine Corps manual. This initially stood out to me as somewhat strange for a young marxist, but now knowing that he did, in fact, join the marines, it is a peculiarity being laid out beforehand. "In the meantime he read his brother’s Marine Corps manual, to prepare for the day when he’d enlist."
The third, and most interesting, when he attempts to buy the gun. Of course, there is the obvious and simple connection of Ferrie, but the really interesting line comes when Ferrie warns him of buying the gun "My father was a cop. I’m constantly haunted by the thought of cops, government cops, Feebees—the FBI. They’re on you like the plague. Once you’re in the files, they never leave you alone. They stick to you like cancer. Eternal." Lee buys it. Given the relative impossibility of knowing what actually took place in this conversation, to me this almost definitively is an intentional breadcrumb. Ferrie could not have known much about the boy, or anything about the future situation years later, despite his role in orchestration. This is a lucid moment of recognition, one a little spooky to look back on.
I agree. There aren't so much as signs of what he would become in this early chapter as there are indications of signs. They are just clear enough that they make perfect sense to us in retrospect but they would just appear kind of odd to someone living through them. It should be noted that DeLillo is pulling specific examples to give this illusion to the reader though.
ReplyDeleteInteresting post, I think foreshadowing is important in Libra as we all know the eventual outcome and fate of Lee, and seeing how Lee's life isn't just one event, being the assassination of Kennedy, but rather dozens of small events that lead up to this moment. I also think it's clever how Ferrie says the FBI sticks to you like cancer, eternal, when he has cancer and is trying to cure it.
ReplyDeleteI didn't notice this until you just pointed it out, and I totally see it now. It's definitely purposeful foreshadowing of what's to come that can really only be completely understood by someone who's read the whole book already, but also gives an air of premonition to anyone who knows common information about JFK's assassination and Lee Harvey Oswald. Great post!
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