DeLillo's use of two narratives and fictional examples to explain

So far, while reading Libra, I have read the "In 'Setting'" chapters better than "date" chapters. This is most likely because in the setting chapters I have a better idea of what will happen next, since I know the general course of Oswald's life after watching the Frontline documentary. However, I do equally enjoy the date chapters, because they introduce an unpredictable and conspiratorial storyline to Oswald's life.

As the two kinds of chapters merge, it is interesting to see how Oswald's largely nonfictional narrative combines with the largely fictional narrative. I am amazed at how smoothly DeLillo transitions Oswald into a fictional life with a nonfictional outcome (that of shooting the president).

I really like that in the setting chapters, DeLillo creates events that fill holes in Oswald's life, using the date chapters to help. I also think it's really cool that DeLillo clears up many areas of interest that are not covered in the Frontline documentary. For example, the documentary shows a mug shot of David Ferry, looking extremely creepy and kind of like a naked mole rat or something. However, it doesn't really explain the reason he looks so physically abnormal. Additionally, it talks about how there were rumors swirling that Ferry sexually assaulted his cadets. In Libra, DeLillo addresses both of these issues using explanations as well as examples to help us understand that involve most likely fictional events. To confirm Ferry's supposed relationship with his cadets, DeLillo has him rape Oswald, showing us that he most likely raped his cadets. On a slightly more humorous note, DeLillo explains that Ferry tapes hair on the hairless spot where his eyebrows are, but going over the top and making him look flat out scary. It does surprise me, however, that DeLillo explains that Ferry realized he looked extremely abnormal and actually embraced it. From my impression from the documentary, I would think Ferry was a man who wouldn't ever admit his physical shortcomings and instead be power hungry and extremely insecure. However, this is not the case. He walks right up to Oswald completely naked and proceeds to rape him.

In all, the merging of two initially separate narratives creates for an interesting combination of history within fiction and fiction within largely history, in the end merging to form one giant historical event with fictional twists. The nonfictional holes in Oswald's past are filled with interesting and assumed fictional events that combine to create an interesting and captivating story.