In my last post, I asked what makes Lee so easily manipulated? Why is it that he goes along so willingly with other people's plans and ideas? I stated it was because of him wanting to find himself and find a place to belong. However, I now offer up a different answer. Fate and astrology.
Libra plays on these two main themes; the idea that Lee has a certain fate that can not be avoided and is essentially linked to his astrological sign, which of course, is Libra. As a Libra, and especially if we're looking at the negative aspects of that astrological sign, Lee is unsteady and impulsive. We see these traits appear several times in the novel, for example when Lee shot himself or when he planned the assassination of General Walker. However, the main thing about Lee being a Libra that leads into his unavoidable fate, is the fact that he is, "easily, easily, easily influenced." Because of how Lee is, he's able to be easily manipulated by other people, thus explaining his entire part in the JFK assassination. Lee can not avoid his astrological sign, which means he can not avoid being so easily influenced and manipulated. He truly is a victim of fate. It was Lee's fate to be a Libra, and being that Libra is the reason why he got involved int he JFK assassination.
But it goes further than that. See, I used to think that the whole assassination plot was Ferrie's thing. He was the evil mastermind that developed the whole scheme, and was the one who personally manipulated Lee into getting involved in it. In my eyes, he planned the entire thing. But I know that's just not so. Ferrie admits himself that JFK coming to Dallas where Lee just happens to be and his car taking a route that goes right by the building where Lee works is something he could never arrange and I believe that. Those things are not just mere coincidences. It's fate. Lee is somehow meant to assassinate the president, and it seems to be some sort of astrological destiny.
It really makes you think differently about Lee. He's a victim of fate. What can you do? Do we still blame him, if the only reason he acted was because of outside forces out of anyone's control that controlled him? Do we put the blame on him because his astrological sign caused so much trouble? I mean, can you even do that? Someone's astrological sign is a part of him, so in effect, can you blame someone for doing something bad if it's in their blood, if they can't help it at all?
This all makes me very nervous and confused. Especially since I'm a Libra.
And this astrological view of life as cosmically "plotted" isn't too far from the aura of superstitious meaning that seems to surround coincidences like the motorcade passing just under Oswald's window at the book depository. It all stems from an inclination to see *meaning* in coincidence, or circumstance, or apparently unconnected but structurally symmetrical events.
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