Perry In Cold Blood Analysis

Although Perry is responsible for the murder of four innocent people, Perry’s actions do not reflect on who he is as a person because he is easily influenced, therefore; showing how easily people can be pressured into doing something they would not typically do.

English is a fascinating and riveting language. Subtle nuances and adjustments can easily change the understanding of a literary work—a technique many authors employ in order to evoke a desired response from their readers. This method is used especially in In Cold Blood by Truman Capote, a literary work which details a true event about the murders of four members of the Clutter family in the small community of Holcomb, Kansas, in 1959. Although Capote’s 1966 book was a bestseller nonfiction and had successfully garnered acclaim for its author, there is still a great deal of confusion about the distinction between the factual and fictional aspects in the book. Much

In the novel, In Cold Blood, Truman Capote chose his words in a subjective manner. Capote inaccurately described many characters in his novel. He based his writing on his feelings and emotions rather than facts and evidence. Capote characterized Richard Hickock, Perry Smith, and Bonnie Clutter falsely.

The debate nature versus nurture is a prevalent topic in today’s society because the violence going on. People would like to know whether a criminal is born or a criminal is made. A great example of nature versus nurture is the nonfiction novel In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. This book follows around two characters Perry Smith and Richard (Dick) Hickock. Together, they killed a small town family for forty dollars in cash. Capote tells of their lives before the killing, on the run, and when they were on death row. It is clear to the reader that Perry was not born a criminal, but his horrible childhood coupled with mental illness allowed him to not feel the wrong he was doing. Dick, on the other hand, was born a criminal, and this is shown through his pedophiliac episodes and the fact he was able to be ashamed of what he was. Nurture is more important than nature because with good nurturing what nature has given somebody can be erased or made better.

Although Perry and Dick both had cruel intentions, walking into the Clutters home that night, Truman Capote moreso aims to prevail the manipulation from Dick and the credulous personality of Perry, giving Perry an innocent perception; therefore, Capote asserts that not all criminals are all equally responsible for crimes.

Eric Harris was a teen psychopath that did not have plans for the future except his plans

Capote, with the intention of breaking the stereotype that murderers have no moral compass, describes the two murderers, Perry and Dick, differently. Capote includes that Wendle, one of the first people at the Clutter house after the murder, said that Perry and Dick would “cut out your heart and never bat an eye” (254). Capote illustrates that Wendle’s claim is not credible since Wendle drew his conclusion against Perry and Dick solely based on one source of evidence--the crime scene. Moreover, Capote utilizes Wendle’s opinion as a vehicle to establish that many, because Perry and Dick committed murder, immediately assumed that Perry and Dick do not value life, a typical stereotype of murderers. In defense of his virtue, Perry recalls “as we’re

In Truman Capote’s “In Cold Blood,” Dick and Perry have murdered the Clutter family and are on their way to Mexico. In this passage, Dick makes an astounding statement.

Although Dick’s was fully aware of his actions, he even came up with the plan to go and try to steal from the Clutters, another important evidence that separates Perry and Dick is also overlooked by the court. Alvin Dewey states Perry, before signing the confession paper, “admit that Hickock had been telling the truth, and that it was he, Perry Smith, who had shot and killed the whole family” (255). It is revealed that Perry is the one who killed the members of the Clutter family and Dick did not. The court gives Dick the same death sentence that they gave Perry, the guy who actually did the killing. Although Dick is too some extent responsible for what happened to the Clutter and he was aware of his actions and what was happening, his punishment

Truman Capote, in his non-fiction journalistic narrative, gives readers the opportunity to reconsider the dichotomy of ‘normal’ and ‘abnormal’. Capote also suggests true normality differs from society’s concept of normality. The concept of normality is challenged throughout the entirety of ‘In Cold Blood’, first in the Clutter family, then in Dick and Perry and in sexuality throughout the text. The Clutters, a seemingly ‘normal’ family who have obtained a wealthy and successful life, are polite and hardworking, community-driven and respected. However, the Clutters have certain aspects which could be considered ‘abnormal’, especially in the case of Bonnie, a depressed and reclusive mother. Perry and Dick are juxtaposed with the Clutters, they are a seemingly abnormal duo, who are antisocial, have a hunger for murder and are even physically disfigured. Both Perry and Dick have attributes that are still somewhat ‘normal’ despite their surface abnormality. Perry is sensitive, creative and sings, Dick has had an upbringing that was completely typical of any American child, that is, he was brought up in a loving and caring environment, with enough money to live comfortably and attend secondary education. Dick also constantly defends himself saying: “I’m a normal”. Sexuality between Dick and Perry is explored as well as Perry and Dick’s individual sexualities.

Murder can be defined as “the unlawful premeditated killing of one human being by another”. How then, are others able to make us sympathize with not only murderers, but people who have committed horrendous crimes? For example, the media is constantly attempting to humanize rapists and even terrorists with phrases like “lone wolf” or “alienated and adrift.” Such phrases make some of us want to pity the criminal. This can be seen when we compare Perry Smith and Dick Hickock from Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood. Capote portrays only one of these two seemingly distinct characters (Perry) in a way that the reader feels the need to relate to and even sympathize with him. One can be taken aback by such an attachment to a murderer. This is not surprising as the author uses his compassionate diction to manipulate the reader’s emotions with a use of pathos, the appeal to emotions. At one point Capote goes as far as to write that “Smith’s life had been no bed of roses,” (Capote 245) attempting to have the readers relate to Perry. On the other hand, Capote has Dick say this about himself: “Deal me out, baby, I’m a normal” (Capote 116). By using phrases such as these, Capote creates an unfavorable impression of Dick and and a biased tone. The same cannot be said for Perry as Capote produces an almost benevolent tone toward him with the help of pathos, “the most powerful appeal” (Noel, 2011).

“Another reason, the simplest, the ugliest, was that this hitherto peaceful congregation of neighbors and old friends had suddenly to endure the unique experience of distrusting each other; understandably, they believed that the murder was among themselves…” (pg. 88)

In this chapter, Truman Capote introduces several different characters. He introduces Herb Clutter, father of the Clutter family. Herb is married to Bonnie, and they have four children, the two youngest still living at home with their parents. Herb started a small farm and would slowly make his way up, making the Clutter family wealthy. His wife, Bonnie Clutter suffers from depression and other mental illnesses, so she at home for a majority of the time. Their youngest daughter, Nancy, is extremely organized and intelligent. The youngest child, Kenyon, is a 15 year old boy who spends most of his time with electronics. Capote also introduces the two men who murdered the Clutter family, Perry Smith and Richard Hickock, often referred to as “Dick”.

In Cold Blood, a 1966 novel by renowned author Truman Capote, is a non-fiction novel that details the murder of the Clutter Family in the community of Holcomb, Kansas. The book follows three distinct points of view, the murderers, the Clutter Family, and the community through sequencing. Many literary critics sight the novel as a pioneering work in the true crime genre of nonfiction

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. In these words, Charles Dickens describes the grand scheme of the Roaring Twenties. Also known as the Jazz Age, this was a decade that for the most part, was full of extravagance. During this time, prominent writers such as F. Scott Fitzgerald ruled American literature. Following his success in The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald found inspiration in his life of luxury, alcohol, and a mentally deteriorating wife, and this inspiration soon erupted into his fourth novel. Born to mixed reviews, Tender is the Night was often referred to as being too frivolous, and why shouldn't it be? Following The Great Depression, a novel whose setting is in the grand French Riviera and centered around the extravagant lifestyle of a seemingly perfect couple seems to only rub salt in the wounds of American hearts. However, it is in this frivolity that the novel truly shines. F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, Tender is the Night, uses the pinnacle of society to highlight human fragility in even the most soundest of structures.