Story of two Assassins

One of the most intriguing aspects in the latter sections of Libra is how Lee Harvey Oswald and Jack Ruby believe their actions are going to be represented versus what they eventually become associated with. In both cases, we see an act that seems motivated by an expected response from the general public, and in both cases the end result and the public perception in the aftermath of their assassinations is completely contradictory to the reaction they assumed the public would have. It is an interesting dynamic to explore as both of these men with their completely different motivations and situations end up in the same situation of having to face unexpected reactions from the public and seeing themselves represented as someone that they do not recognize in the media.

Lee goes in to the situation believing that he will be considered a Cuban hero and be welcomed into Cuba with open arms. He has an escape plan worked out that will have him end up in Havana and receive a new identity and allow him to start fresh in Cuba. Ferrie seemingly convinces Lee that he is meant to take the shot and that he is supposed to be a part of history. Everything is lined up for his associations to Cuba and his backstory and identity to be found in the aftermath of the assassination. However, when he is arrested, it becomes clear that he hasn’t exactly gotten the reputation he was going for. He seems to believe by the end that he was set up to be a lone gunman and he decides that he will give up everyone who was involved in the plot if he is asked.

Jack’s association with killing Lee plays out in almost the same way. He is repeatedly told that killing Lee would be a positive for the city of Dallas. Carmine offers to pay the $40,000 without ever collecting the debt if Jack Ruby just kills Lee. In much the same way as Lee, he is repeatedly assured of how easy it is and that he will be treated as a hero by the American public. However, when Jack does kill Lee, he experiences the same dynamic that Lee experienced earlier. He is quickly abandoned by those pushing him to commit the crime, and he is left to fend for himself against murder charges. Stunningly, Ruby even warns his cop friend Russell about the assassination he is planning, playing both sides of the coin till the bitter end. Just like Lee, by the end he seems to believe that he is meant to commit this murder that his role in history is to be the man who killed Lee Harvey Oswald. However, he to becomes disillusioned by the public perception of his actions.

This similarity between the two important murders that the entire book has led up to is striking. In both cases, the would be assassin is strongly convinced that their killing is not only destined, but they are also certain of what the public reaction will be and how they will go down in history. However, the book shows that even if you do end up going down in history, you can’t dictate the terms of how you go down in history. For all of Lee’s planning, he ends up going down in history as a lone gunman who shot down JFK when he didn’t actually even kill JFK.