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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Marguerite complain about at the end of the chapter?

2. What type of propaganda is found in Oswald's office on June 19th?

3. On June 19th, where has Oswald taken an office?

4. At the beginning of 17 April, how long has Nicholas Branch been researching the assassination?

5. Ostensibly, how did David Ferrie die?

Short Essay Questions

1. What initial actions do the CIA men take for their plan on April 17th?

2. How does Lee fair in the brig?

3. How is Lee isolated in the first chapter of the novel?

4. What confidential information does Lee reveal to Konno in Atsugi?

5. Who are the exiles on May 20th?

6. Why, according to Parmenter, did the Bay of Pigs invasion fail?

7. Discuss how Branch sees death surrounding Oswald?

8. Describe the colorful conversation Bannister has at a bar on June 19th.

9. Why is Lee Oswald punished before shipping out?

10. How does Lee meet David Ferrie?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The political world of the book world is one of interlocking yet competitive covert interests. Write an essay about how these interests affect the life of Lee Oswald. What are each of these interests' objectives, and what role is Oswald supposed to play in these objectives? Which of these covert groups gives up on Oswald and which places nearly all of its hopes on him?

Essay Topic 2

The main framing device of the two narratives of Libra is the figure of Nicholas Branch. In an essay, discuss the Branch storyline in the novel. Who is Nicholas Branch, and what is his objective in the novel? How does his life devolve in a fashion similar to Oswald's? Discuss the extent to which the rest of Libra is the product of Nicholas Branch's work.

Essay Topic 3

In Libra, individuals resort to violence when they feel trapped and marginalized in their lives. Discuss this striking out that occurs when characters feel they have no other options in a three-part essay:

Part 1) What indignities and profession setbacks has Win Everett suffered prior to the events of the novel? Why does he feel he has no voice in the intelligence community? Discuss how he decides staging an assassination attempt will remedy these injustices.

Part 2) Discuss the dreams and hopes that Lee Oswald has throughout the novel, and how their failure leads him to consider murder as an alternative. What purpose does the assassination serve for him personally? How does he feel empowered?

Part 3) What personal challenges is Jack Ruby facing when DeLillo introduces him near the end of the novel? What tactics does he use to avoid complete failure? What role does the murder of Oswald play in his personal redemption?

(see the answer keys)

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