In Cold Blood Case

In Cold Blood

    In Cold Blood , written by Truman Capote retells the story of the murders of the Clutter family through different perspectives of main characters involved in the crime scene. Perry and Dick, despite being the murderers of the Clutter family are portrayed in a sympathetic mood throughout the non-fiction novel. Perry is highlighted as a more complex character and often is displayed in a lighter mood then his partner Dick. Dick gives the impression of a regular criminal throughout the story while Perry’s struggles and other issues make you more and more intrigued and remorseful. With all the positive characterizations and complete descriptions upon the killers and their lives the reader feels Dick is more cruel and heartless even though he is believed to not have actually killed anybody.

   Perry grew up abandoned by his father and rejected by other family members. With no where to go and no family to turn to Perry was forced  into a  convet and was said to be beaten often for wetting his bed as a child. ‘’ For Perry Smith’s life had been no bed of roses but pitiful, an ugly and lonely progress toward one mirage to another (pg. 279).’’ Alvin Dewey emphasizes the hardships Perry dealt with despite being the cop who spent years of his life dreading his capture. While Perry is locked in ‘’The Corner’’ his depression increases day by day and he even attempts to starve himself to death. By attempting suicide, this shows Perry’s mental instability which is noted often throughout the book revealing his strange hallucinations and thoughts. ‘’… Dr. Staten’s contention was that when Smith attacked Mr. Clutter he was under a mental eclipse, deep inside a schizophrenic darkness, for it was not entirely a flash and blood then he suddenly discovered himself destroying.’’ This diagnosis proves Perry acted a certain way due to his lack

of mental stability not because that was his actual cruel plan to kill. Sympathy is greatly thrust upon Perry knowing he had a mental condition yet it was completely overlooked by the court when deciding between the death penalty. Mysteriously, while locked up Perry even receives a letter from someone he does not even recognize at first. The letter states ‘’ God made you as me and He loves you just as He loves me, and for the little we know of God’s will  what happened to you could have happened to me. Your friend, Don Cullivan.(pg. 260).’’ This unexpected letter beams a light of hope towards and man with trials and tribulations from his first day on Earth. He was even injured in a motorcycle accident earlier in his life. This man gives Perry a figure full of humanity and character despite being the murderer of the Clutters and awaiting a death penalty that will end his fate of ever living a normal life.

   Dick has an opposing attitude and lifestyle than Perry. Dick is stubborn man and a displeasing face often noted by others. Dick devised the plan of killing the Clutter family and only motive is to take a safe in the basement full of loot that is not real..  He recruits Perry to help him complete this plan knowing he can’t finish it all by himself. Dick quickly realizes Perry is abnormal when he tells Dick of his dreams of a giant parrot and his mental state is easily questionable. Still Dick and Perry drive to Holcomb to steal the safe they find has little money and decide to kill the witnesses. Dick also wants to rape Nancy Clutter but Perry does not let him and threatens him if he tries. Even though Perry had threatened him. Dick in one sense controls Perry and tells him to shut up and what to do whenever he feels it is necessary. Dick however once questioned by authorities says he never planned any harm and said he wanted to kill Perry for murdering the Clutters yet it was clearly him who made the plan.  Dick’s life of crime and in and out of jail has no correlation to his childhood. He was raised in a regular household with a mother and father by his side. Still, Dick grew up and felt he was not successful which led to his plan to steal and kill the Clutters. Shortly after the murder Perry tells Dick ‘’I think there is something wrong with us.’’ ‘’To do what we did’’. Dick responds saying ‘’Do What?” This shows how Dick feels no guilt or regret towards what happened to an innocent family and simply acts as if nothing happened while Perry’s emotions and guilt are slowly eating him alive.  Also while on the road Dick intentionally turns to run over a dog and remarks by saying ‘’Boy we sure splattered him.’’ This scene in the book reveals a hatred and evil mood surrounding Dick and little sympathy is felt for him in the story. Even while in court Dick is testified against and he cusses at the person on the stand. He is sincerely showing his hate for these people who he feels are betraying him and that he is innocent.  Dick is easily depicted as the classic criminal throughout the book and his actions are simple compared to the complex descriptions of Perry.