22nd November 1963: a day which has been imprinted on the minds of a generation forever. On this day, the world was stunned into silence as it began mourning for one of America’s most influential presidents, John Fitzgerald Kennedy. From that day forward, there has been a compelling fascination with the Kennedy myth: their erudition, style, glamour and wealth, but also the astonishing misfortunes which have befallen them. In this essay I propose to discuss whether these tragedies truly are, as some say, a “Curse of Camelot”, or whether the tragedies were self inflicted inasmuch as they sprang from the arrogance and inflated self-belief which the Kennedys came to embody.

Since the Kennedy clan was "introduced" to the world in the 1960’s, Kennedy’s presidency has often been referred to as “Camelot”. his term is derived from King Arthur's Court and represented a mythical and paradisal perfection. The Kennedy family was regarded as an American surrogate royal family They were regarded as the best America could produce, and epitomised what many Americans aspired to be. They also represented American optimism for a more ideal and hopeful future. In short, they personified "The American Dream".

During his presidency, John Fitzgerald Kennedy captured the people’s imagination with his intellect, looks and overall charismatic charm. This president was an embodiment of hope for the future, representing the ‘Free Western World’. The feeling among many is that he prevented a nuclear war by standing up to Khruschev. One of his presidential statements was:

'We wish to make it unequivocally clear that the U.S. would not tolerate the introduction of offensive surface-to-surface missiles, or offensive weapons of any kind into Cuba.”

In private, Jack conferred with his brother:

“a great power can't surrender if it wishes to remain a great power”

(the Kennedys – “An American Drama” by Peter Collier and David Horowitz)

At this time the United States of America consisted of a polygot of cultures and so Kennedy was extremely popular among many. It is for these reasons that hundreds flood into Arlington Cemetery daily, to the scene where one of America's most influential and dominating presidents rests.

For over fifty years, however, the Kennedy family seems to have been dogged by disaster. Many feel that there 1s an undoubted "curse" on the family. From the death of Joseph Junior in 1941 until the recent death of John Junior fifty-eight years later, the family has been plagued by sadness and scandal. The most famous member of the clan, John Kennedy himself, was assassinated in 1963. Five years later his brother, Robert,was also killed while acting as senator. The youngest brother, Teddy, was involved in a fatal car accident, killing political aide Mary-Jo Kopechne. This ruined his chances of ever becoming president. Since then, many children of the family's original members have been involved in an endless line of tragedies.

It cannot be argued that the family has had its quota of incredible misfortune. There are, however, divided opinions as to the underlying reasons. Bad luck does, of course, play a part - but a vein of obstinacy and an attitude of immortality runs through America's most famous clan. It seems that there is an inherited characteristic throughout the family which is one of taking risks. Many of the Kennedys have placed themselves in vulnerable and dangerous situations: either in their political lives or their hazardous lifestyles. Both John Kennedy's elder brother and only son ignored meteorological advice when flying their planes. These ended in tragedy. Other members of the family involved in drug-taking, fatal accidents and promiscuity have addeded to the
belief that each Kennedy individual is invincible.

Another argument runs that everything which happens to the Kennedys adds to the legend, simply because they are the subject of endless speculation. Professor James Smith of Penn State University, an observer of post-war America, claims: “If you take out Robert, and John, you have young people killed in skiing accidents, people having trouble with drugs, people with cancer: those are pretty normal things. How many families go through similar
experiences without so much public attention?"

In conclusion, I feel that the truth concerning the Kennedy tragedies is probably a collision of myth and reality. Although they aspired to the higher echelons of life, some were prevented from fulfilling their ambitions by evil forces outwith their control; however, other happenings in the Kennedy clan were self-inflicted. The ultimate truth of the Kennedys belongs to posterity.

Bibliography

“The Kennedy’s – An American Drama” by Peter Collier & David Horowitz

“The Life and Times of Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy” by Charles Higham

“Jackie – A Lasting Impression” by Richard Taylor & Sam Rubin

“Scotland on Sunday”

“The Telegraph”

“The Herald”