In Cold Blood: Character Analysis

Perry Edward Smith

Overview

Key Plot Moments

• Childhood Trauma
  • Perry's abusive and neglected childhood is revealed, illustrating the root of many of his psychological issues.
  • His traumatic experiences contribute to his criminal behaviour and emotional instability.
• The Clutter Murders
  • Perry, along with Dick Hickock, murders the Clutter family.
  • This act is central to the plot and highlights Perry's capacity for violence despite his sensitive nature.
• Fleeing to Mexico
  • Perry dreams of escaping to Mexico and finding treasure, reflecting his constant search for a better life.
  • This fantasy underscores his inability to cope with reality.
• Arrest and Confession
  • Perry is arrested and eventually confesses to the murders.
  • His confession provides insight into his guilt and complex emotions regarding the crime.
• Execution
  • Perry's execution is a pivotal moment, symbolizing the tragic end of his troubled life.
  • His final reflections show his acceptance of his fate and lingering dreams.

Key Themes

• The American Dream
  • Perry's failed attempts to achieve a better life reflect the broken promises of the American Dream.
  • His criminal actions stem from his disillusionment and desperate need for fulfilment.
• Nature vs. Nurture
  • Perry's violent tendencies are explored through the lens of his abusive upbringing.
  • The novel questions whether his actions are a result of his environment or inherent nature.
• Redemption and Guilt
  • Perry's struggle with guilt and his search for redemption highlight his internal conflict.
  • His moments of empathy and regret contrast with his criminal behaviour, adding depth to his character.

Key Quotes

"Soldiers don't lose much sleep. They murder, and get medals for doing it. The good people of Kansas want to murder me – and some hangman will be glad to get the work."

• Perry compares his actions to those of soldiers, questioning the morality of both.
• This quote reflects his complex understanding of guilt and justice.

"Because most of my life I've done what they're doing. The equivalent."

• Perry compares himself to scavenging cats, highlighting his perception of living on society's margins.
• This analogy underscores his feelings of worthlessness and desperation.

"The parrot appeared, arrived while he slept, a bird 'taller than Jesus, yellow like a sunflower,' a warrior-angel who blinded the nuns with its beak, fed upon their eyes, slaughtered them as they 'pleaded for mercy,' then so gently lifted him, enfolded him, winged him away to 'paradise.'"

• Perry's vision of the golden parrot symbolizes his need for salvation and escape from his harsh reality.
• The parrot's dual role as a violent avenger and gentle saviour mirrors Perry's conflicting nature.

"It was after one of these beatings, one [Perry] could never forget…that the parrot appeared."

• This moment reveals the origins of Perry's parrot vision, tying it to his childhood trauma.
• It illustrates how his fantasies serve as coping mechanisms for his pain.

"I think…it's a helluva thing to take a life in this manner. I don't believe in capital punishment, morally or legally. Maybe I had something to contribute, something – It would be meaningless to apologize for what I did. Even inappropriate. But I do. I apologize."

• Perry's final words express his remorse and moral stance against capital punishment.
• This quote encapsulates his internal struggle and desire for redemption.

Richard Eugene "Dick" Hickok

Overview

Key Plot Moments

• Planning the Robbery
  • Dick devises the plan to rob the Clutters, showcasing his manipulative nature.
  • His confidence and lack of moral scruples are evident in his cold-blooded approach.
• Manipulating Perry
  • Dick persuades Perry to join him in the crime, exploiting Perry's vulnerabilities.
  • This moment highlights Dick's controlling personality.
• Committing the Murders
  • Dick's role in the murders is central to the plot, demonstrating his capability for violence.
  • His lack of remorse contrasts sharply with Perry's internal conflict.
• Capture and Interrogation
  • Dick's arrest and subsequent interrogation reveal his attempts to evade responsibility.
  • He blames Perry for the murders, showcasing his self-preservation instinct.
• Execution
  • Dick's execution marks the end of his manipulative schemes.
  • His final moments reflect his unwavering lack of remorse and self-justification.

Key Themes

• Manipulation and Control
  • Dick's character embodies the theme of manipulation, using others for his gain.
  • His interactions with Perry and his calculated actions illustrate his need for control.
• Moral Corruption
  • Dick's lack of empathy and moral scruples highlight his corrupt nature.
  • His criminal behaviour is driven by greed and a desire for power.
• Justice and Retribution
  • Dick's execution serves as a commentary on justice and retribution.
  • His lack of remorse challenges the reader's perception of deserved punishment.

Key Quotes

"A cinch…I promise you, honey, we'll blast hair all over them walls."

• Dick's casual and celebratory attitude toward the planned murders highlights his cruelty.
• The use of "honey" shows his manipulative and condescending nature toward Perry.

"Deal me out, baby. I'm a normal."

• Dick's assertion of his normalcy contrasts with his actions, revealing his delusional self-perception.
• This quote underscores his need to justify his behaviour.

"But I'm afraid of [Perry]. I always have been. He can seem so warmhearted and sympathetic. Gentle. He cries so easily…. Oh, he can fool you. He can make you feel so sorry for him."

• Dick's recognition of Perry's complexity highlights his lack of empathy.
• This quote reveals Dick's manipulative insight into others' emotions.

"He was like a wife that must be got rid of."

• Dick's comparison of Perry to a wife he wants to discard shows his disdain and frustration.
• This quote reflects his view of relationships as disposable and manipulative.

"What's there to say about capital punishment? I'm not against it. Revenge is all it is, but what's wrong with revenge? …I believe in hanging. Just so long as I'm not the one being hanged."

• Dick's support for capital punishment, except when applied to himself, highlights his hypocrisy.
• This quote illustrates his self-serving nature and lack of moral consistency.

Herb Clutter

Overview

Key Plot Moments

• Introduction to Herb Clutter
  • Herb is introduced as a prosperous farmer and a pillar of the community.
  • His success and work ethic are highlighted, establishing him as a model of the American Dream.
• Family Dynamics
  • Herb's relationship with his family, particularly his troubled marriage with Bonnie, is explored.
  • His protective and caring nature towards his children is evident.
• Murder
  • Herb's murder by Perry and Dick is a central event in the novel.
  • His death symbolizes the shattering of the American Dream and the senselessness of the crime.
• Community Reaction
  • The community's reaction to Herb's death underscores his importance and the impact of the tragedy.
  • The sense of loss and disbelief highlights Herb's role as a beloved figure.
• Legacy
  • Herb's legacy is reflected in the memories and respect of those who knew him.
  • His life and death serve as a commentary on the fragility of the American Dream.

Key Themes

• The American Dream
  • Herb's life exemplifies the achievement of the American Dream through hard work and integrity.
  • His success contrasts with the failures and aspirations of other characters.
• Family and Relationships
  • Herb's relationships with his family members, especially Bonnie, highlight the complexities of familial bonds.
  • His role as a father and husband is central to his character.
• Innocence and Experience
  • Herb's murder represents the loss of innocence for the community and his family.
  • The impact of the crime on the town reflects the theme of innocence shattered by violence.

Key Quotes

"Always certain of what he wanted from the world, Mr. Clutter had in large measure obtained it."

• This quote highlights Herb's achievement of the American Dream.
• It underscores his determination and success.

"He wore a plain gold band, which was the symbol…of his marriage to the person he had wished to marry."

• Herb's marriage, though troubled, is portrayed as an essential part of his identity.
• The gold band symbolizes his commitment and values.

"Herb Clutter is a man of method. He designs his own farm, his own house, his own equipment."

• This quote emphasizes Herb's meticulous nature and innovative spirit.
• It reflects his hands-on approach and personal investment in his work.

"Herb Clutter's death symbolizes the shattering of the American Dream."

• Herb's murder represents the abrupt and violent end to a life built on hard work and integrity.
• This quote encapsulates the central tragedy of the novel.

"He is remembered as a man of kindness and generosity."

• Herb's legacy is defined by the positive impact he had on his community.
• This quote highlights his enduring influence and the respect he garnered.

Bonnie Clutter

Overview

Key Plot Moments

• Introduction to Bonnie Clutter
  • Bonnie is introduced as a "nervous" woman with a history of mental health issues.
  • Her fragile state contrasts with the strength and stability of her husband, Herb.
• Struggles with Mental Health
  • Bonnie's ongoing battle with depression and other ailments is explored.
  • Her efforts to improve her condition, including seeking medical treatment, are highlighted.
• Family Dynamics
  • Bonnie's relationships with her children and husband are depicted, showing her loving yet troubled nature.
  • Her struggle to fulfil her role as a wife and mother is evident.
• Murder
  • Bonnie's murder, along with her family, is a pivotal moment in the novel.
  • Her death, in her vulnerable state, adds to the tragedy of the crime.
• Community Reaction
  • The community's response to Bonnie's death reflects their sympathy and sorrow for her struggles.
  • Her character evokes a sense of compassion and loss.

Key Themes

• Mental Health and Stigma
  • Bonnie's character highlights the challenges of living with mental health issues in a judgmental society.
  • Her struggles emphasize the theme of hidden pain and societal expectations.
• Family and Domestic Life
  • Bonnie's role within the family illustrates the complexities and pressures of domestic life.
  • Her relationship with Herb and their children underscores the theme of familial bonds and responsibilities.
• Innocence and Vulnerability
  • Bonnie's vulnerability and innocence are contrasted with the brutality of her murder.
  • Her character embodies the theme of innocence shattered by violence.

Key Quotes

"Bonnie Clutter was nervous and had a history of post-partum depression."

• This quote introduces Bonnie's mental health struggles and sets the stage for her character's depiction.
• It highlights the challenges she faces in her daily life.

"Little things really belong to you…They don't have to be left behind. You can carry them in a shoebox."

• Bonnie's attachment to small personal items reflects her need for stability and comfort.
• This quote underscores her fragile mental state and desire for control.

"She had recently gotten word from a doctor that a spinal surgery might relieve her depression."

• Bonnie's hope for improvement and efforts to seek treatment are highlighted.
• This quote shows her ongoing struggle to overcome her mental health issues.

"Bonnie is a 'nervous' woman who has a history of post-partum depression and other mental illnesses."

• This quote reinforces the depiction of Bonnie's mental health challenges.
• It adds depth to her character and the complexities of her life.

"Her mental illnesses appear to make difficult her relationships with her husband and children."

• Bonnie's struggles impact her familial relationships, highlighting the theme of family and domestic life.
• This quote illustrates the broader effects of her mental health on her loved ones.