Initial Impressions of the JFK Assassination

After watching the recent Frontline documentary regarding Lee Harvey Oswald, I was enlightened regarding the Kennedy assassination, yet the idea that a single lone person could shoot down such a powerful man in modern times is fascinating in a horrific way. Yet as we delve further into this idea of the lone killer, we fully realize that there is little evidence against any conspiracy theories, such as the idea of two shooters or that this was planned by the vice president or any other entity. It is quite possible that Kennedy's enemies in the government planned his downfall, as being a charismatic and progressive president, he upset many conservative factions, such as the Texans, the CIA, as well as the vice president. It is obvious that the government likely knows the truth regarding his death, and were forced to pin the blame on a single killer to give a face and name to the entire event.

 Many theories exist, such as the idea that this was a communist plot by the Russians and Cubans since Americans prefer to think that our government is keeping us safe and is the most honest political system, yet the fact that the CIA easily let Oswald back into the country from Russia with knowledge of his background proves that, through the interests of Kennedy's enemies, many were indirectly involved in his shooting by turning a blind eye on Oswald and perhaps even aiding him in the shooting. The fact that Oswald left a paper trail of evidence to show to the public where the option of hiding his evidence further advances the validity of conspiracy theories in which the government played a part in the JFK assassination. When we think about the various times that the government has lied to us, including the NSA and others, and that a few patriotic individuals have told us the truth also furthers the notion of a conspiracy, such that this could potentially be a well-kept secret by the government to avoid exposing the truth.

Regardless of what occurred, the emotions and ideas following JFK's assassination truly interest and complex many Americans on this controversial topic to this day. Many continue to believe that the president's assassination in 1963 was done by the vice president or other political elements and has been kept a secret with good reason.

A Comparison of Rufus' relationships to Dana and Alice

Throughout the novel, we have seen how Rufus, who has become a product of his environment and has been given power and control over Alice such that he can rape and beat her with no consequences, has stressed that he feels true love towards Alice, yet, even though society is somewhat to blame for his actions, at a certain point the reader fully realizes that Rufus has a personality flaw and has never matured from a child. After Alice's suicide, he therefore feels that he can shift his "love" to Dana, who in a similar way to Alice, has been allowing him to act in vicious ways with little consequences (as allowed by the society, which permits Rufus to sexually assault Dana at the end of the novel).

Initially, Rufus felt affection towards Alice and sought advice and learning from Dana, but in a way, we could predict his shift of affection to Dana after Alice's suicide since he felt no grief or sense of guilt after her death, and wanting a partner, saw Dana as his only option. Rufus' power affects both Dana and Alice in the same way, and although they see themselves as being extremely different in their influences and existence, they lack control of their bodies and are under direct and absolute control of Rufus. Alice initially attempts to leave alongside Isaac, therefore resisting Rufus, just as Dana kills him in the end as the only option of resisting his sexual assaults on her.  Kevin and Dana's relationship is looked upon favorably by Rufus at first, and he claims that he wishes to live in a different time period so that he could marry Alice, yet in their "relationship", it becomes apparent that Rufus prefers to have complete control in a vastly different way from the small power imbalance in Kevin and Dana's relationship. 

Overall Views of Rufus in contrast to his Father

Throughout the novel Kindred, we find that, although initially a likeable and agreeable character, Rufus steadily changes his behavior as an adult after years of influence affecting him over the course of his life. Even though he does not want to inflict physical pain upon his slaves and is exponentially more humane and charismatic as his father, who say the slaves and people under a business model or a profit generating scheme, Rufus occasionally lashes out and acts violently when he does not achieve his way.

Rufus, in contrast to his father, can acknowledge when he behaves in a brutal manner, and although he apologizes to Dana and others after he has committed his atrocious acts, he diminishes the impact or importance of his behavior. Therefore, many readers, who were initially distracted by his charisma, steadily see him as a villain as their sympathy towards Rufus decreases. In many ways, Tom Weylin cannot see the many faults on his outlook on life, since he has been indoctrinated in this system and sees his greed above human suffering.

Rufus, in our eyes appears to be a monster and a misguided person, though we must remember that he was somewhat progressive in his overall behavior for his society, having allowed Dana to teach Nigel to read and typically caring for the slaves in a insufficient way.