Libra: Marina and Lee

Although Marina Oswald she is not featured prominently in most accounts of John F. Kennedy's assassination with any nuance beyond her two-dimensional role as Lee Harvey Oswald's widow, she is an interesting and complex character in her own right and is one of the few sympathetic characters in Libra. Her turbulent relationship with Lee also lends readers greater understanding of his true nature when so much of his story is wrapped up in speculation and doubt.

When Marina and Lee first meet, their relationship seems to lend a little humanity to him. It's a sweet handful of passages in an otherwise quite heavy book. DeLillo writes of their relationship almost fondly, with passages like "They had matching scars on their arms, his left arm, her right, both scars near the elbow, the same size and shape. A sense of destiny, or mirrored fate. (202)" and "Marina’s weight at birth was a little over two pounds. Alek was in awe of this fact. It was a private charm, something about her to hold dear. (202)"  There's a hint of cynicism, with lines like "It is the lie everyone accepts about being nineteen (DeLillo 202)," but the overall perspective is rosy.

Their relationship does not survive their return to America unchanged, however. Not long after arrival, Lee begins to hit her. He seems to express remorse, mentally urging her "Never take the blame for me. Never think it is your fault when I am the one. I am always the one. (DeLillo 238)" He also cleans up the messes she always leaves behind after a fight, suggesting a post-fight remorse and willingness to allow her these small victories, even if he can not or will not restrain himself in the heat of the moment. Lee seems to be far too impulsive for his own good, a theme we see echoed in his actions throughout the book. It is ultimately his inability to properly consider the long-term consequences of his actions that sparks his downfall.

Despite its violence, at times Marina and Lee's relationship shows a much less intimidating version of Lee than the idea of the assassin we've grown used to. Even when he lashes out at her, she never quite seems to fear him. Instead, she goes on the defensive, throwing things at him and mocking him. She also derides his borderline-delusional sense of self importance, writing to George de Mohrenschildt, "Hunter of fascists-ha ha ha!!! (DeLillo 290)" 

****
Works Cited
DeLillo, Don. Libra. Penguin Books, 2018. 

Comments

  1. Arya ThirodiraJune 1, 2022 at 2:09 PM

    I agree that Marina changes Lee and that their relationship gives us better insight into his motivations and emotions at the time. Marina seems to accentuate the duality in Lee. Their relationship starts out positively but as time goes on, Marina starts to see Lee’s impulsive and violent side. This impulsivity starts the decline in his life and plays a part in JFK’s assasination. I like how you express this difference of character in your post and what effects these two sides have on Oswald’s actions and ultimately, his life. Really interesting post!

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