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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. On April 26th, what event does George de Mohrenschildt have information about?

2. What is lee regularly quizzed on in the brig?

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

4. What do Oswald's bunkmates in Atsugi call him?

5. According to Bannister on June 19th, who does Kennedy travel with at all times?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Lee dream about doing while in New Orleans?

2. Why is Parmenter especially angry about the Bay of Pigs debacle?

3. How does Lee meet David Ferrie?

4. Discuss how Branch sees death surrounding Oswald?

5. What is Lee's life in New Orleans like?

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

7. How do Parmenter and Win plan to incorporate Oswald into the plot?

8. Why do Lee and Marguerite argue in New Orleans?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Libra, Oswald's existence and objectives seem to shift depending on what setting he inhabits. Write an essay about three locations and how Oswald lives his life there. What seems to be his goal in life? Who does he associate with, and what image does he project? Discuss how this persona of Oswald is different from the one in his previous home and in his future home?

Part 1) In Atsugi

Part 2) In Minsk

Part 3) In New Orleans

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay about the duel narrative structure of Libra. What story does each narrative tell, and where do they connect? Who is the protagonist of each? Discuss how having two narratives allows DeLillo to discuss Oswald and the conspiracy evenly? Which narrative seems more focused and driven? Why?

Essay Topic 3

The assassination passage of Libra is a harrowing and disturbing series of pages, but it clearly elucidates the reality of the day. In an essay, discuss how Don DeLillo frames the events on November 22, 1963 in this passage. Whose point of view does the author tell the assassination from? Is the passage linear in its chronology? How does the author eventually make clear who killed Kennedy?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 945 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample