In Cold Blood Analysis

1286 Words3 Pages

Devin Nagel
K. James
College Comp II
31 March 2014
Summary Critique: In Cold Blood
This novel takes place in Holcomb, Kansas. The Clutters live in the area, on River Valley Farm. It is very clear from the introduction of the book that they are going to be murdered. The story threads between this family and Perry Smith and Dick Hickock. The Clutters go on about their daily activities, having no idea what is to come. Dick and Perry slowly make their way towards the Clutter farm, with an evil plan to carry out. As they make their way to the farm, the duo make stops for supplies. Perry is shown to have came for parole, but not finding an old friend, he agrees to work with Dick. Capote goes back and forth between characters, with no correlation, only to who is the most important at any given time during the case. Dick and Perry eventually arrive at the Clutter home.
Capote leaves out the murders for the time being, and instead focuses on the town. As the murders are announced throughout the town, everyone in the town is scared, and no one feels safe. All the while, Perry is asleep in a hotel, and Dick is visiting his family, intending on running as soon as possible. Alvin Dewey is also introduced, the leading investigator in the KBI. Dewey becomes extremely stressed with the case, as Dick and Perry begin their spree of writing bad checks in an attempt of making quick money. Dick and Perry make their way to Mexico, where they intend to hide out. They end up living in a hotel in Mexico City and are completely broke, so they eventually must leave to avoid more charges.
Perry is also deeply developed, as the novel goes into his family background, through old letters. His entire family is in shambles, but he was always closest to his...

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...ies explained, the execution of Dick and Perry is all that is left to occur.
Capote opposes the death penalty, almost pleading that Perry is insane. As the Psychologist is unsure of whether or not Perry is insane, the court quickly shuts that escape route down. The imminent death of Perry and Dick makes the reader feel split on the two, where they would rather have Dick put to death and let Perry live, if the reader so chooses that Perry is insane.
Capote closes the novel twice; once through the newspaper articles and then again through the eyes of Dewey. Capote attempts to remove the feelings that the reader has developed with Dick and Perry by referring to them by their last names only. As the executions are told, Perry shows signs of insanity, and is then hanged. This leaves the reader feeling the pathos that Capote used to build Perry's character in question.

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