Deadly Dick Hickock In Truman Capote's In Cold Blood

Grady Brown
Mr. Panarella
Sophomore Honors: Period 6
27 March 2023
Deadly Dick Hickock The tranquility of a peaceful night in a small Kansas town was shattered by the deafening sounds of four gunshots. In the aftermath of the brutal crime, four innocent family members were left senselessly murdered. Shockingly, the true perpetrator behind this heinous act never even fired a shot. In Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood, Dick Hickock and Perry Smith are two ex-convicts who murder the 4 undeserving members of the Clutter family in search of a safe full of money. A massive manhunt was launched to track down the killers. They were eventually arrested and brought back to Kansas to stand trial. Dick and Perry were both sentenced to the death penalty.. Dick Hickock

He manipulated him in many ways, mainly during the execution of the crime, where he forced Perry to slaughter all four of the Clutters. Truman Capote makes it apparent that "It was Hickock who had forced Smith to take part in the murders, who had led him astray, who had destroyed him" (Capote 246). Perry was a victim of his influence, and was led down a destructive path that eventually led to both of their deaths. Moreover, Truman Capote contrasts their personalities; "Hickock, the mastermind of the crime, was the more vicious of the two...Smith, on the other hand, was a mixed-up kid who had been led down the wrong path by his older, more experienced partner" (Capote 93). Perry was very vulnerable and impressionable, so Dick took advantage of it. The crime was a result of Dick’s coercion over Perry. Also, Dick had convinced Perry that they were capable of doing anything together; "Hickock had convinced Perry that he, Perry, was destined for great things, that together they were unbeatable" (Capote 277). Furthermore, this shows how Dick gained his trust and loyalty through false promises and preying on his