He manipulated him in many ways, mainly during the execution of the crime, where he forced Perry to slaughter all four of the Clutters. Truman Capote makes it apparent that "It was Hickock who had forced Smith to take part in the murders, who had led him astray, who had destroyed him" (Capote 246). Perry was a victim of his influence, and was led down a destructive path that eventually led to both of their deaths. Moreover, Truman Capote contrasts their personalities; "Hickock, the mastermind of the crime, was the more vicious of the two...Smith, on the other hand, was a mixed-up kid who had been led down the wrong path by his older, more experienced partner" (Capote 93). Perry was very vulnerable and impressionable, so Dick took advantage of it.
Throughout the book "In Cold Blood," the characters of Dick and Perry undergo significant changes. At the beginning of the book, they are portrayed as cold-blooded killers who show little remorse for their actions. However, as the story progresses, we see a more complex side to their personalities. One of the most significant changes in the characters of Dick and Perry is their relationship with each other.
But Dick stole his father’s gun and plans to visit Perry’s sister. it foreshadows violence and murder. 10. Kenyon is not interested in girls and spends most of his time in the basement. He is an outsider.
Capote uses back stories and childhood memories to show Dick and Perry’s character. During Perry’s evaluation with Dr. Jones, Perry says, “My mother was always drunk, never in a fit condition to properly provide and care for us. I run as free & wild as a coyote. There was no rule or discipline, or anyone showing me right from
The author characterizes the two characters by using flashbacks although he sympathize Perry more than Dick, which can be seen through the long descriptions of Perry’s past compared to the few sentences given to Dick’s. There are several areas in the
While Perry is mortified that he and Dick could commit such a gruesome crime, Dick couldn’t care less. All Dick is worried about is how odd Perry is. Because of how quick Perry’s mood could change, Dick thought he was “spooky as hell.” Now, Perry wasn’t your average run of the mill man. He still wets the bed, cries in his sleep, and “could slide into a fury ‘quicker than ten drunk Indians’”.
This Quote represents Insanity (Sociopathy) because it shows both Perry’s killer natural way of thinking and it also shows Dick’s colossal use of them to get what he desires. Dick suffers brain damage he received from a concussion and Perry has paranoid schizophrenia . This could possibly contribute to their questionable mental state of mind. Some symptoms of insanity include : frequent lying, stealing , fighting , no guilt or remorse for anything whatsoever , breaking the law repeatedly , the ability to act charming and witty, disregarding of the safety of others, manipulating other people 's emotions, and inability to tolerate frustration . Both Dick and Perry poses some of these traits / symptoms which may lead us to believe they could
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).
The reference to the men as brothers highlights the sense of community Perry feels with Dick and how powerful it is, they are no longer friends but brothers. The strength of this relationship aligns with that of the shooters' relationship, which involves committing acts of violence as the feeling of community overrides morality. Since this social process is evident in Dick and Perry’s relationship, it must have played a role as a cause of the murders, proving that their mental illnesses did not motivate the murders, meaning they deserved imprisonment, not an institution. Both men serve as examples to determine the extent to which external issues contribute to violence, although the men suffer from forms of mental illness. Dick has “signs of emotional abnormality,” while Perry has a “personality structure” that is “very nearly that of a paranoid schizophrenic reaction” (Capote 187 and 189).
In To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, Jem believe Maycomb is Unjust because The Maycomb he used to know is not like what it is now, Which is shown when the prejudice members of his community are against Tom, Lula refusing to let Jem & Scout enter their church, and When he was punished for destroying Mrs. Dubose’s flowers. To Start Off, Scout was explaining on how the final verdict of the jury & judge affected Jem & loss faith in the citizens of Maycomb. Scout says, “I shut my eyes. Judge Taylor was polling the jury: “Guilty...guilty...guilty...guilty…” I peeked at Jem: his hands were white from gripping the balcony rail, and his shoulders jerked as if each “guilty” was a separate stab between them” (282). Maycomb is an injustice town because as every time the Jury said “guilty” it negatively affected Jem like he was being stab inside which illustrates how he was very confident in knowing that Tom will be acquitted & be found innocent but, after the verdict it had made realizes & lose hope on the members of his community.
Dakota Massey Mrs. Korando American Literature 19 Apr 2023 Mallard Vs. Johnson “The Story of an Hour,” by Kate Chopin and “Everyday Use,” by Alice Walker are two different stories, but they may have similar underlying themes. “Everyday Use” deals with an African American mother who, when her oldest daughter Dee comes home, must decide to take a stand. Dee wants to take the quilts that Maggie, the narrator’s other daughter, was going to inherit from their grandmother.
Katie Wisdom Mrs.Matteson English II 11 February 2018 You may have heard the popular saying “never judge a book by its cover,” in Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout and her brother Jem struggle with this concept. Jem and Scout are encouraged to step into other people’s shoes to gain insight into other’s lives. The kids are exposed to a harsh social understanding while also coming to know and understand the motives behind the people in their community. Scout’s father, Atticus Finch, takes on a case to defend Tom Robinson, an African American man accused of raping a white woman which leads to the struggles of the children.
"It 's not about what you do for your children, but what you have taught them to do for themselves, that will make them successful human beings" stated Eppie Lederer, a former American columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times newspaper. In the novel "To Kill A Mockingbird" written by Harper Lee, a small town filled with narrow-minded people, refuse to accept change. When a middle-aged lawyer, Atticus Finch, takes on a controversial case, the town begins to question Mr. Finch and leaves his two children too curious for the town’s comfort. Although some might say Atticus does a poor job raising his children, Lee proves that the best parenting comes from a strong-minded person with integrity, regardless of what others think through Atticus ' empowering advice, strong morals, and his belief in equality.
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. Dick, a violent, cold-hearted, manipulator, has molded Perry into the person he is today. As Perry is a follower, Dick has taken advantage of that by turning Perry into the cold-blooded killer he is today. Capote displays Dick’s manipulation of Perry through symbolism to make evident that while Perry did pull the trigger on four innocent people, although the fault does not entirely lay on him, as he was taken advantage of by Dick.
While Dick’s attempt to profit from Perry originates from a lie that Perry creates in order to gain Dick’s respect, the language that Capote uses to illustrate Dick’s exploitation does not leave room for excuses or sympathy. The tone indicates Dick has malicious intention in befriending Perry, which gives the readers a cynical impression of him. Furthermore, Dick is seen to be disregarding of the gravity of his crimes, especially as he replies to Perry’s comment, “I think there must be something wrong with us" (Capote 114) to commit the murder like they did, in which Dick replies, “Deal me out, baby, I'm a normal,” and continues to entertain the thought, “ But Perry—there
