Analysis Of The Book Cold Blood - 1418 Words

Perry Smith and Dick Hickock are two remarkably different characters. In the beginning of the novel, they’re known only as the murders of the Clutter family, but Truman Capote tells their life stories in such a way that they become more than that. Even though these two men are basically introduced as murderers, they quickly become relatable and interesting characters. So much is learned about their feelings and lives that one can not help but almost look past their reckless ways. Both of these men have unique character traits that amalgamate in an intriguing way. Throughout In Cold Blood, Capote includes many instances that show how Dick and Perry, when combined, make the perfect murderer. Perry, the more personable of the two killers,†¦show more content†¦To add insult to injury, Perry gets into a motorcycle crash that left him oddly figured and in constant pain. His life, as a whole, was a series of unfortunate events. His screwed-up childhood left him with child-li ke tendencies in his adult life, such as sucking his thumb and wetting the bed. Despite his childish emotions and lack of an education, he believes himself to be an extraordinary man with many hidden talents and immense intelligence. At one point he says to his sister, â€Å"You think I like myself? Oh, the man I could have been! But that bastard never gave me a chance. He wouldn t let me go to school. O.K. O.K. I was a bad kid. But the time came I begged to go to school. I happen to have a brilliant mind. In case you don t know. A brilliant mind and talent plus. But no education, because he didn t want me to learn anything, only how to tote and carry for him. Dumb. Ignorant. That s the way he wanted me to be. But you, Bobo, you went to school. You and Jimmy and Fern. Every damn one of you got an education. Everybody but me. And I hate you, all of you—Dad and everybody† (Capote 185). In contrast to his sensitive and intellectual side, Willie-Jay says that he has one e xtreme flaw: â€Å"explosive emotional reaction out of all proportion to the occasion† (Capote 43). Perry clearly has many unique characteristics. Each one of the small things about him lends a hand in the eventual murder of the Clutters. Dick, the masculine ‘brass boy’, is the opposite