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In Cold Blood

SMARTER BETTER FASTER

Contributors: Brian Phillips, Jeremy Zorn, Julie Blattberg Copyright (c) 2002 by SparkNotes LLC All rights reserved. No partsoever without of the this written book permission may of be the used Publisher. or reproduced inSPARKNOTES is any a manner registered what- trademark of SparkNotes LLC. This edition published by SparkNotes LLC SparkNotes Publishing A Division of SparkNotes LLC 120 5th Ave, 8th Floor New York, NY 10011

2 you know. think Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. Whose words these are you Your paper’s due tomorrow, though; We’re glad to see you stoppingTo here get some help before you go. Lost your course? You’ll find itFace here. tests and essays without fear. Between the words, good grades atGet stake: great results throughout the year. Once school bells caused your heartAs to teachers quake circled each mistake. Use SparkNotes and no longer weep, Ace every single test you take. Yes, books are lovely, dark andBut deep, only what you grasp youWith hours keep, to go before youWith sleep, hours to go before you sleep. or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form Stopping to Buy SparkNotes on a Snowy Evening

3 4 5 7 8 9 9 10 11 12 14 16 17 19 20 23 25 25 31 ...... Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC...... The Last to See ThemThe Alive: Last 1 to of See 3 ThemThe Alive: Last 2 to of See 3 ThemPersons Alive: Unknown: 3 1 of of 3 2 Persons Unknown: 2 of 2Answer: (Perry’s Background) 1 of 2 The Answer: 2 of 2 The Corner: 1 of 2 The Corner: 2 of 2 Review Quiz Further Reading CONTENTS CONTEXT CHARACTERS SUMMARY ANALYSIS SUMMARY AND ANALYSIS STUDY QUESTIONS REVIEW AND RESOURCES or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form

4 Finally, after Breakfast at Tiffany’s. is true. And Capote himself never appears in 1948. A succession of books followed, as did Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. was that book. In 1959, Capote noticed a small newspaper item describing Other Voices, Other Rooms, CONTEXT In Cold Blood The result, published in January 1966, was a long and highly acclaimed novel, a success Capote did not attend college. Instead, he published a few short stories and eventually or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form involvement with the stage and film.almost ten In years 1958 living he in wrote Europe,to he compose returned what to he the termed United "an States epic in nonfiction the novel." late 1950s hoping critically and commercially. Itcording is to a Capote, favorite every among word schoolchildren of and inmates alike. Ac- the mysterious murder ofthe a perfect story ranch for familywhich him of time to Capote four. write became about. very HePerry close decided Edward to Five Smith. the that years two this of He murderers,committed, might intense talked Richard and to be Eugene research nearby the Hickock followed, Garden and townspeople City. during ofappeals He Holcomb, followed process where the until police the the investigation murders and executionnever were the of took eventual Hickock notes and or Smith usedfrom in a memory, a 1965. tape skill recorder; he During instead had interviews been he he practicing was for able years. to transcribe the interviews Truman Capote (1924-1984) was one of thefeuds most notorious with writers contemporaries of his such time. asCapote Bitter more Jackie public than Onassis, an Norman author. Mailer, Hison overt and television homosexuality, Gore wit, and and Vidal in knockout made magazines opinions as kept a him major personality. a first novel, in the book. He believed that the key to good journalism was making the author invisible. Context

5 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. —Along with Perry, one of the two murderers of the Clutter —Along with Dick, one of the two murderers of the Clutter family. He —Another of the three KBI assistants, Duntz is a burly man with a broad —An awkward 15-year-old, Kenyon loves to tinker with carpentry and —The father of the Clutter family. His wife is Bonnie. He has four children: — Herbert’s wife, Bonnie, cannot keep up with his public image as a leader, —Along with Kenyon, one of the two youngest Clutter children. They both — Nancy’s steady boyfriend, Bobby lives nearby. —An investigator for the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), Dewey is the —The oldest of the KBI assistants, Church is nicknamed "Curly" and is sup- —One of Dewey’s principal KBI assistants. Nicknamed "Brother Nye," he is CHARACTERS or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form and she withdraws into the home.deal Suffering of depressive mental time disorders, in she bed. spends a great Nancy Clutter still live at home. She isLike "the her darling" father, of she the is town, very a organized. classKenyon president Clutter and future prom queen. machines. Bobby Rupp Perry Edward Smith is a short man, with a largeaccident. torso but He small legs. wants His veryand legs much artistic. were badly to His injured be childhood in was a educated,natural motorcycle lonely and extension and of he disorganized. the considers His strange criminal himself environments record in quite seemsRichard which intelligent to he Eugene be grew a Hickock up. family. Also a smallpassing man, bad checks. Dick He grew is up ahe practical in is man not Kansas, who as exudes was ruthless confidence married or and brave cruelty, twice,Herbert but as and Clutter in he reality is seems. jailed for two older daughters who have moved out,Valley and Farm, Nancy and keeps Kenyon. him His large moderatelysuccessful property, River wealthy. farm. Starting He withgentle is little, man, a a he strict community has Methodist. built leader, HeEisenhower. served up involved on with a the Federal large, many Farm Credit organizations. Board under President Bonnie He Clutter is a Alvin Dewey agent responsible for much ofthe western distress of Kansas. his wife, He Marie, becomes and veryHarold his involved Nye two in small the boys. case,the to youngest of the group.has During the the flu. capture and interrogation ofRoy Smith Church and Hickock, he posedly the fastest draw in Kansas. Clarence Duntz face. Characters

6 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. —Andrews was a young college student who murdered his family. —Perry’s only living sister. She lives in San Francisco and is married. —An employee of River Valley Farm. He and his wife live on the property. — Perry’s father, Tex is a kindly backwoodsman who taught Perry to bake —The proprietor of Hartman’s Cafe. She has a thick skin and scolds her — Nancy’s best friend, Susan lives in Holcomb. —An old army friend of Perry’s who starts a correspondence with him upon —An inmate at Lansing prison. After Perry leaves on parole, he became Dick’s —An employee of River Valley Farm. —Assistant to the chaplain of Lansing, the Kansas state prison, Willie-Jay be- or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form bread, but who never comes tomet see and his married son on in the jail. rodeo Perry’s circuit. motherSusan is Kidwell Flo Buckskin, who Tex Willie-Jay Don Cullivan reading about the case in the newspaper. Tex John Smith comes a kind of mentor to Perry.Floyd He Wells tells Perry that hecellmate. is talented. He is a former employeethe of layout Herbert of Clutter, the and house. he tells Dick aboutLowell the Lee ranch and Andrews Bess Hartman customers when they gossip too much aboutBarbara the Clutter Johnson murders. Characters He is a schizophrenic.Perry. Several Perry of resents the his fact years that on Andrews deathMr. is highly Helms row educated. overlap with those ofAlfred Dick Stoecklein and

7 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. SUMMARY That morning, the bodies are discovered by Susan Kidwell and another of Nancy’s Meanwhile, Perry and Dick have returned to Dick’s hometown of Olathe. Dick passes The investigation of the Clutter murders seems to be heading nowhere. However, a man Before they are caught, Dick and Perry steal a car, return to Kansas City, pass more During a five-year appeals process, Dick and Perry languish in Death Row. Perry tries or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form Herbert Clutter inspects hismorning, ranch on the on other thethe side Clutters morning of go of Kansas, about their November Perryand daily Smith 14, Smith business, meets are running 1959. up tuning errands and their withshotgun baking car. That Dick and apple knife After Hickock. same pies, in a Hickock hand. long While drive, they pull up to the Clutterfriends. home with Initially, a thedetector police test. are baffled. Alvin Dewey,killer the must Bobby be KBI Rupp someone agent close is to inHartman’s a the Cafe charge family. is suspect of the Rumor until the sets center the he of investigation, small numerous thinks passes town theories. that of a Holcomb the lie on fire. some hot checks, and thetreasure two flee in to Mexico. Mexico. Perrydead While has end the always leads, dreamed investigation Perry of in and findingthey Kansas Dick sunken spend run begins some out to time of methodically entertaining moneythrough a follow his in rich up personal German Mexico belongings tourist City. and before remembersthe While his rodeo childhood. packing circuit to His until mother returnchild. and they to father had Now, the rode two a of states, falling his Perry three out. goes siblings have Perry killed was themselves. passed fromin home the Kansas to state home prison at asHickock Lansing, a Floyd is Wells, responsible, hears of he the begins murderand case. to Perry think Sure are that of hitchhiking Dick in talkingtime, the to Floyd American the has desert. confessed, authorities. and They Dewey Meanwhile, try and Dick to his team steal are a beginning car, an but elaboratehot fail. manhunt. checks, By this and takewhere a up policewoman residence recognizes in theirquestioning, license Miami. and plate Perry follows number. suit. They Dick Thedeath. eventually confesses trial goes backtrack after smoothly, intense and to the Las two are Vegas, condemned to to starve himself while Dickcompany writes by letters various to appalling various criminals.is appeals remorseful. When organization. death They comes, are Dick kept is awkward and Perry Summary

8 is actually a novel, a First, Capote has to make In Cold Blood In Cold Blood. Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. as a literary experiment. He wanted to write a "nonfiction was first published in January 1966, Hickock and Smith had been In Cold Blood In Cold Blood ANALYSIS We can pinpoint several artistic aspects of When In arranging the facts of the Clutter case into a novel, Capote gave them a number of or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form Capote wrote novel." He felt thatseriously. he was The one of question the is rare whether creative a people book who such actually as took journalism Analysis creative work, or journalism. choices about the structure ofbetween he the choose the book. order and Capote subject matterto chose of See the a chapters. Them starting Alive," In and the chapters first ending onon section, "The the point, the Last activities and preparations of in for the murder ClutterClutter being family baking made alternate an by with apple chapters Hickock piecontrasting and subsequent and Smith. images then to Reading reading create about a abouthave specific Nancy such the impression. a killers’ No creative tattoos structure. newspaper article creates would a montage, dead for less than a year. Theprobably murder knew and trial the had details garnered big ofit headlines, the and interesting many novel even readers before to people theywell who began as knew reading be the it. informative outcome–the and book Capotehave accurate. had had been to to included The be make in novel good athat is literature newspaper. Capote saturated as compiled Moreover, with 8,000 the details pages details of thatselection research, are would of the carefully never book facts picked. seems and to Knowing Clutter be descriptions. daughters, a although very Capote carefully doubtless For interviewed edited them. example,reasons. He This very left shows them little that out the for is artistic factsultimately of said a the creative about Clutter work. case the were two the building older blocks for what was meanings. Not only are some ofto Capote’s the opinions apparent–as death in penalty–but the the case novel ofon itself his the has opposition American several major Dream. themes. Herbafter First, Clutter it has all, is made bakes a a commentary apple wonderfulshattered life pies. for by himself–his two But daughter, petty Herb criminals.marginal Clutter’s people American The (ex-cons) are idyll American not dream is present. is abruptly fragile, and and arbitrarily it only functions if

9 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. SUMMARY AND ANALYSIS Back at the Clutter household, a phone call wakes Nancy Clutter. A local girl wants to Dick is driving a black Cadillac. He and Perry takeNancy has it finished to teaching Jolene the Katz how shop to where bake apple Dick pies. works, She leaves, and Bonnie Perry and Dick are getting cleaned up for their drive. Dick is athletic but small; Perry has Four hundred miles away, Herb Clutter is driving Mrs. Ashida home from a 4-H meeting. On the other side of the state, Perry Smith eats a breakfast of aspirin and cigarettes. His or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form friend Dick Hickock comes to pick him up. learn how to make apple pies. Nancy rearrangesalso her calls. schedule to They make talk time. about Nancy’s Her date friend withwants Susan Bobby Nancy the previous to night slow and how down Herbhas Clutter their been relationship. smelling cigarette Nancy smoke. also mentions Also, that, her father inexplicably, she seems to be worriedwhere about they something. tune the car, preparing for a long drive. Clutter talks with the girl. She showsshe Jolene her goes collection to of miniatures. bed, very After Jolene depressed, leaves as usual. a muscular upper body, but hisboth legs tattooed–Dick were in badly many places, damagedand Perry in intricate. only a in motorcycle a wreck. few They places, are but his tattoos are polished The meeting was in Garden City, afamily small are city close new to to Holcomb. Holcomb, but Mrs. they Ashida may and have her to young move. Herb hopes that they doCommentary not move. The killers approach Holcomb,business. while This the sequence is Cluttersquickly crafted from go scene so to about as scene. their to Itevents heighten is wholesome, in like the a everyday different sense film in of places. which suspense. the scene shifts The Capote between shifts reader simultaneous knows that the Clutters are going to die, but the Summary Holcomb is a small town on thein high the plains area, of River western Valley Farm. Kansas.and On Herbert begins Clutter November the owns 14, a day’s 1959, farm work. he wakes It up, will eats be a his light last. breakfast, The Last to See Them Alive: 1 of 3 Summary and Analysis

10 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. Kenyon Clutter is in the basement recreational room, working on a hope chest for one Dick and Perry have paused once again, this time to try to get black stockingsBack at at a River Valley Farm, Mr. Clutter makes a deal for a large life insuranceDriving plan. down The the highway, Perry is playing songs on his guitar and the twoThe are next sharing Monday, Bobby Rupp describes his last night with the CluttersDick to and the Perry police. have a steak dinner. They move on to Garden City, where they buy a It is obvious that Capote is the narrator, because the narrator is obviously more so- or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form Summary Driving across the state, Dick andbuying Perry stop stockings to to buy rubber wear glovessurvive. over and rope. their Perry heads, suggests but Dick reminds him that noof witnesses his older will sisters. Kenyon isbut fifteen; not he in is interested girls. into cars round He and tinkering up and with coyotes. his inventions, housekeeper. best Kenyon They friend goes note sometimes outside that an go and insurance out speaks salesman to in is Mr. visiting his Mr. car, Helms, Clutter. the theconvent. Coyote husband Wagon, of Perry the remembers theviolation. real He reason had hoped he to camehim meet to when up he with Kansas, was Willie-Jay, which who in was for prison. a him Not kind finding is of Willie-Jay, religious a he mentor agreed parole to toagent do leaves a with "score" the with first Dick. payment in his pocket. a bottle of orange drink and vodka. He went over to the Clutters home and watched TV with the family.tank At of eleven, gas. he Perry’s left. legstrying cause to him find great pain, the and strengthsecond he thoughts. to spends stand a up long again. time in Dick the bathroom, thinks that his partner must be having Summary and Analysis The Last to See Them Alive: 2 of 3 Clutters are blissfully ignorant ofalmost this each fact. chapter Capote about capitalizes thelast on Clutters, apple this pie, Capote irony. etc. writes At that the this end will of be their last day,phisticated their than many ofanthropological the investigations; characters he in is theral aloof book. from childhood, his his His subjects. cosmopolitan descriptionscolor." experience In sound Although comes many almost Capote through ways, had like he clearly"heartland" a is as of ru- an America. he urban describes sophisticate "local giving us a voyeuristic window into the

11 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. is divided into small chapters. In this part of the narrative, Capote uses the The local mail messenger, Sadie Truitt, sees ambulances approaching the Clutter farm. That morning the news was announced from Sunday morning church pulpits and over Meanwhile, Perry is sleeping in a hotel, while Dick has sat down to dinner with his As the killers race toward Holcomb, Capote sketches the developing working relation- Capote makes the most of the fact that he is telling a true story. To describe Billy’s visit Nancy, in her bedroom, makes an entry inDick her and diary. Perry pull up to the Clutter home. or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form Summary Nancy Ewalt, a schoolmate of Nancyanswers, Clutter, comes so to she the house and the herthey next return father morning. to go No the one to house ask and Susan find Kidwell the bodies. if she knows anything.Soon, she Together, and hermurders daughter over (who the is radio. also Myrt the is cynical postmistress) about Myrtle the Clare news, but hear they newsthe are of radio. both the shocked. Many men convergedkiller on was Hartman’s probably Cafe, someone where she Bessare knows, Hartman hysterical. someone realizes from that the the town. Susan and Bobby Rupp family. He told them that hedinner, and Dick Perry falls were asleep, going exhausted. to visit Perry’s sister in Fort Scott. After The Last to See Them Alive: 3 of 3 to the Clutter home, he simplythis uses is Billy’s testimony. a He true is story. calling The attention factuality to of the his fact that story becomes somethingship like between a Dick gimmick. and Perry.will come Perry and wants rescue to him, tell butthe Dick Dick romantic about ignores side his him. of dream Dick Perry. thathaving is second a Also, practical; thoughts giant he he when parrot does underestimates in not Perry.can understand fact carry Dick he on. thinks is that trying to Perry overcome may excruciating be pain so that he Summary and Analysis Commentary In Cold Blood short chapter lengths to theirglances full as Dick effect–the and chapters Perry cometaneity. near quicker, the It like River is brief, Valley as Farm. alternating the if Clutter This the home heightens mind’s and the eye one sense were of of quickly the simul- toggling approaching back black Cadillac, and trying forth not between to a miss view a of thing.

12 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. Paranoia and mistrust spread through Holcomb. The Clutters wereIn perhaps the town the of Olathe, most Perry and Dick are eating in a diner. Dick has a ravenous appetite, Susan Kidwell attends the Clutter funeral service. She remembers Nancy and her pet The final chapters of "The Last to See Them Alive" describe Holcomb’s reaction to or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form Summary A group of Mr. Clutter’s old hunting"Christian buddies duty." goes Meanwhile, to the clean up KBI, theDewey begins house, has its considering it no investigation. their clues, Alvin save Deweymurderer for is was a involved. in He footprint charge. is and unsurethat a of could motive, missing because be radio. there stolen. was He little Also,they money suspects seem he in more to the guesses house than have that known one the theroom, murderers layout his were of neck the close house. was to slit, the Mr.the and family Clutter basement he because was rec was tied room shot down and in in shot,their the the while respective furnace head. Nancy beds. and Kenyon Mrs. was Clutter tied were down tied to down a and couch shot in in secure, upstanding family in the community. No one now feels safe. but Perry eats little. Hehad some is incorrect worried information. that they will be caught. He gets Dickhorse, to Babe. admit that She he seespeople Nancy attend in the her funeral. coffin, her head surrounded with cotton. A thousand Summary and Analysis Persons Unknown: 1 of 2 Commentary Capote wisely leaves out thesimply murder includes scene. their description Later, of what when happened. thedescriptions Of killers course, here, finally he but confess, could have Capote that included those wouldelements of detract the from novel the is the novel.the race mystery to of One discover exactly of who how the the theout killers murders most of took are. important place. the And plot book, Capote for leaves the encouragingnovel. the reader the details He there reader of also is the to chooses murder guess not to exactly reveal what the happened, motive as for the in crime athe until detective the murders. killers confess. Thethe main Clutters, characters of recede, the andand first various Perry chapters citizens will of remain of the important Holcombanti-heroes throughout novel, of come the the Dick to novel, novel, and in the they Perry the"nonfiction are fore. traditional novel" and not sense focuses the on of Although heroes whatever the Dick figures or word.time. are even Instead For relevant the of to now, the having the public’s heroes, murder reaction this case is at important. any given Later, the focus will shift to the police.

13 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. Dewey becomes a very important character. In many ways, Dewey symbolically rep- Perry and Dick have a peculiar relationship. Perry worries about getting caught, and Dick and Perry move from shop to shop in Olathe, writing hotBack checks, in and Holcomb, sometimes Dewey cannot sleep because his phone is constantly wringing. Ev- The younger of the two surviving daughters is married on the next weekend. Her Perry and Dick are standing on a mountain outside of Mexico. Perry admits to Dick Back in Holcomb, the journalists have left, but gossip still thrives in Hartman’s Cafe. or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form this upsets Dick, yetDick in eventually many become ways, very poor Perry becauseand is Dick prostitutes. the is bad more Dick with responsible pretends money–hehis to of spends dreams it be the of on the levelheaded, two. giant drinks especially parrot, whenall, but Perry Dick Perry he and is invented begins responsible the to for Clutter getting discuss scheme. the pair into trouble. After resents Capote. Like Capote,desk Dewey fills becomes up very with involved notebooks. inThe He researching same loses the things himself case. in happened the tothe His case Capote, book. to who the felt One point psychologically is that damagednormal reminded he again. after cannot of sleep. completing Dewey’s wife’s question about whether his life will ever be Summary and Analysis Commentary This is the beginning of thethe hunt most for the open-ended killers. section It oflines will the at occupy novel, most this even of point though theDewey’s book, it involve attempt and is to Perry seems solve in and the the Dick’s mystery. middle. ability to The main get plot along and remain solvent, and getting cash back. Soon their car is full of items that theyeryone can has pawn. a "tip," and eachif tip they must will be ever thoroughly have investigated. a normal His wife, life Marie, again. wonders wedding had been plannedin for Holcomb, the the following wedding month, dateMr. but was as Fox, changed. the appears Also, entire in a the familyClutter letter family. local was from paper, already asking Bonnie the Clutter’s brother, townspeople to forgive whoever killed the that he is surprised he was ablethat to he go once through killed with a thedrive, killings. black Dick man Previously, continually he for had swerves no told to reason, Dick kill but stray this dogs. was a lie. AsOne they resident, continue on a their Mr.cannot McCoy, has sleep. decided The to Ashida move family is away, because also his leaving. wife is so scared she

14 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. Dick and Perry are living in a hotel in Mexico City. They have run entirely out of money The letter, especially the way it leaves out certain details and is generally self-righteous, His father built a mobile home and the two traveled the country together. Perry joined Mr. Helms is still keeping up the grounds of the Clutter farm. One afternoon, he thinks or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form he sees a face inAdrian, Bonnie a Clutter’s window. vagrant who He has callsin been the his living police. car, in so They the he find house. is Jonathan arrested. Daniel He has a shotgun and aand hunting must knife leave the hotel byto 2 take with p.m. him to on the avoid bus anothertwo back day’s large to charges. boxes America. of Perry Since personal must Olathe, effects. decide heHe has what They sorts been hold moving through around tacky with them, souvenirs,John old picking Smith, letters, out essentially and things a notebooks. biography toan of take. early Perry’s childhood parole. sent He In to finds it, the"goodhearted" a his if prison he father letter to is emphasizes help from treated that him right. his Perry get authority. He father, was says a Tex that Perry "normal" does child, have and a tendency that to he rebel is against fills Perry with self-pity,Flo," love, ride and bucking hate. horses atstay Perry with rodeos. remembers his mother watching He and his tried remembersending to parents, his up run "Tex away in parents’ to & a divorce, his Catholic father how orphanage,his but he where was father nurses turned went took away. beat him to him He in remembers because and he he wet finished the the bed. third Finally, grade, the lastthe schooling merchant he marine ever when got. hehis was father 16 in and the AlaskaWashington State army after for after a finishing that. year. his Hemuch He helped service, his business. was father but on build He a his and a roadside way his lodge,biscuit. motorcycle but father to He it wreck began join headed never to gained for delayed starve, Massachusetts, him andbut where along they he the in way have planned he a to fell meet falling in withThey up out "bad were with over company" arrested, and an the robbed but old last an Perry army office escaped supply man, to store in in find a Kansas. his stolen car. friend. Heof went He Investigation to moved caught Massachusetts, to up but New with failed York him for and a brought while, him back but to eventually jail the in Federal Kansas–where Bureau he met Summary and Analysis Summary Dick and Perry areGerman in tourist a named Otto, small who boatwhile has Dick off taken complains them the of out a Mexican headache. fishing.soon coast. It return Perry is to sings Otto’s They Mexico last and day, City. have plays andis Just guitar, befriended the photographed as now-penniless a with killers the will the rich sun fish, begins and to he set, looks Perry like catches he a has giant arrived sailfish. in the He promised land. Persons Unknown: 2 of 2 (Perry’s Background)

15 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. Perry also finds an interpretation of his sister’s letter, written by his prison friend Willie- Dewey has been working very hard on the case, almost to the point of exhaustion. He Dick and Perry are hitchhiking in the Mojave Desert. They have almost nothing. They We learn much about Perry. In the first place, it is very eccentric to carry around so much However, Willie-Jay is correct in noting the antagonism in Barbara’s letter. She certainly or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form Summary and Analysis Dick. By this time, his motherFern had had died, "fallen" his out brother Jimmy of had ahim killed window. while himself, He and he finds his was sister a in letter jail.father that and It his his scolds remaining childhood sister Perry for Barbara for his wrote feeling troubles. sorry Perry for loathes himself his and sister. for blamingJay. their In quasi-intellectual language, Wille-Jay writesHe that writes Barbara that is it obviously shows a she conformist. isfrom full Barbara’s of letter. human Perry frailings. also The findsodd interpretation some words is of that full his of Perry own quotations has notebooks. learned,diary One such that is as includes a "Thanatoid" odd "dictionary" or of facts "Depridate."the Another and other is quotations. bed a to kind All Inez, of this a time, prostitute Dick he has has promised been to making marry. loveis on on his wayHartman’s to Cafe, check where over some citizens Rivertheir harass Valley wives Farm, will him, stop asking a being him habit afraid. to of arrest his. somebody soon On so theare waiting way, for he a stops car that at they can rob. Commentary The huge chapter on Perry’s backgroundPerry is is the the longest of mostprisoners, the well-developed book. each character of It in reflects whom the thea he fact novel. considerable interviewed that statement countless Capote when times, reportsBefore one he they that takes was were executed, into of closer he account to the claimed,in he the Perry. two was the fact closer world. This to another Perry is Capote and Dick statement. than to anyone else memorabilia, a tendency that seems to indicatethat a he romantic narcissism. considers His himself notebooks an reveal trite, intellectual. and the The words recorded inThe quotes his language and "dictionary" are thoughts of Latinate are Willie-Jay monstersWillie-Jay’s generally is letter too is similar. cumbersome full of to needlessly Perry ever big use. of holds words, and Barbara’s Willie-Jay the letter fact in for that the he Perryfelt, wrote highest exhibits an giving interpretation a esteem, the reader condescending but information attitude. that would One reveal wonders Perry’s how lack Capote of education. does not feel friendly towardeven Perry. though After he this is chapter, a one murderer.and feels He his a has sister great almost deal no hasFurthermore, of one probably Perry’s sympathy, left. most written recent He him crime has seems fallen out to out of flow with from his her previous father, will. events. The first The time rest of his family is dead.

16 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. Alvin Dewey enters his home to find his wife preparing dinner.Harold He Nye, listens another to KBI her for agent a assigned to the Clutter case, visits the home of Dick Still hitchhiking, Dick and Perry finally get a ride with a lone man who seems fairly Nye goes to Las Vegas, where he speaks to Perry’s old landlord.Nye She visits is Barbara not in much San help, Francisco. Her children and husband are playing in the back Now in Iowa, Dick and Perry take refuge from the rain in a barn by the highway.Dewey Dick is careful to keep Wells’ confession a secret. There are a few rumors in Garden Perry is nervously sitting in a laundromat in Kansas City. Dick dropped him off and or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form Summary and Analysis he committed a felony, it was atbeen someone else’s a suggestion, wanderer, as in moving this from case.to home Perry Dick to has simply home. always because He heindependent. has is no there. roots to Dick, ground on him, the and other clings hand, has a family andAnswer: feels 1 more of 2 Floyd Wells hears newscell. of the He Clutter is murdersthrough shocked. over with the his plans. He radio never whileClutter Wells, a fortune, thought reclining and former Dick in Hickock River bragged Hickock, his Valley Farm thatweeks jail his he employee, and then, and former told about Perry Hickock roommate, the would of time steal wouldinformation Dick the it. and to go Perry He the are waits authorities. hitchhiking, for Wells several nervously reports this while, then breaks the news, showing her mug shots of the twoHickock’s men. family. He He is doesn’t very mention excited. thethat Clutter he case, is and interested leads in Dick’sFort parents Dick’s Scott to spree on believe of the hot weekend checks. of the He murders, learns and he that spots Dick a supposedlywell-to-do. shotgun visited leaning Just against as the wall. Dickdriver gives sees Perry another the hitchhiker symbol and tobeing pulls killed. club over the to driver’s pick head him with up, a blissfully rock, ignorant the of almost but he does find a box of memorabilia that Perry left behind. yard, and she is expecting guests.report it She reports if that she she did.how has her not love Later heard for from that Perry Perry night waned and she and would how settles he down always with blamed a her forwants photo having to album an return and education. to remembers Kansasbarn, they City, find because a he 1956 is Chevy sure with the he key can in pass the some ignition.City, checks but They none there. steal in Holcomb, it. where In the murders the haveCafe. become a forbidden subject in Hartman’s promised to return. He ishaving late. switched Perry the license is plate haunted on by the visions car of and police. passed Finally, several Dick big returns, checks.

17 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. On Christmas morning, Bobby Rupp remembers how he would always brave the snows Dick and Perry, having run out of money, are returning to the West, looking for work. In Dewey is having a nightmare. He walks into a cafe and sees the killers. They leap Another contribution to the gripping quality of the narrative is the way in which the reader or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form Summary Dick and Perry sit underfor an a umbrella walk at and a tries beachinterrupt in to his Miami. befriend contemplation a of It young suicide. is girl. Christmastime. Noticing Dick this goes is enough toto disgust walk Perry over and tomindlessly the and ends Clutter up in house Mr. andsummer. Clutter’s prize give orchard, Nancy where the her fruit is present. rotting in the Bobby Indian goes out running Texas, they pick up a young boywill and his die decrepit grandfather. in Dick is theroadside–which scared the car, they grandfather pick but up is and cash mollified in by at a the roadside boy’s restaurant. ability to spot empty bottles along the Summary and Analysis The Answer: 2 of 2 through the plate glass window andgets he ready chases to after leave, them. he Hewriting gets wakes checks a up all in over phone his Kansas call. office. City. It As he is Nye, reporting that Dick HickockCommentary has been With the introduction of Floyd Wells,Although the Dick narration and shifts back Perry to have awould hinted week at be after the so the existence murders. likely ofmurders, Wells, to it about confess. was the not time This known thattechnique Dick information they and is could Perry similar have entered to been Mexico.confessions Capote’s given of decision a But Dick not week it and to after hasit, Perry. describe the been Capote the withheld. puts By the murders withholding reader This except thisthough into through the information the reader the until mind knows of that the Dick the police andbe police. Perry learn caught. are The of the case killers. becomes One suspenseful, wonders even whether they will is made sympathetic to Dick andabout Perry. being While caught Perry by is the police, waiting one inNow, both the as looks laundromat, what forward worrying to was and a dreadsmore mystery his eventual becomes physical. capture. a manhunt, Just the asreader suspense imagine Dewey becomes what dreams less the of confrontation cerebral chasing between and the Perry and killers Dick down and the the street, KBI will so be does like. the

18 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. On December 30, Alvin Dewey is called out of the shower to answer a phone call.A As police officer in Las Vegas spots the killers’ license plate,In just the Las after Vegas police Perry station, picks the up four KBI agents–Dewey, Nye, Clarence Duntz, and Nye and Church question Dick, who is cocky and reminds them that he has been ques- Meanwhile, Dewey and Duntz question Perry. They repeat the process used with Dick, Back at Hartman’s Cafe, news comes over the radio that two suspects have been arrested. The suspects are taken in two different cars on the long drive to Garden City, Kansas. When the police cars arrive in Garden City, a large, stunned crowd watches the criminals or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form Summary and Analysis Commentary The chapter in whichclimax Perry of confesses the novel. is It very isthe long past told tense. in and the This detailed. present temporal tense, shift while In highlights the the some rest significance of ways, of the the it book chapter. is is The recounted beginning the in his wife wonders why hetaken is a dripping minute water off everywhere, from he the suddenly case hugs since it her. began He in has mid-November. not the memorabilia he mailed from Mexico City to his old hotel. Roy Church–are preparing tobelieve question they are Dick being and questioned for Perry. passing hot Nye checks. has the flu.tioned before. They The lead prisoners upwent to to the hot Fort check Scott, spreeDick failed in takes Olathe, to pride and find Dick in Perry’s tellscross-country recounting them sister, travels. the that and they exact Finally, spent addresses Nye theHe of comes denies night every to them with place the but two the is point, visibly pair prostitutes. and shaken. stayed accuses in Dick their of the murders. with the same result. Perry isDick. very upset, The and next afterward day, lies Dick troubled breaks.from in his the The cold scene two cell, officers of as show the does Perry. him crime, photographs which of match the Dick’s footprints boots. Dick blames the actual killing on People are shocked and skeptical. Perry does not confess until Dewey tellsthat him only the Dick story about would killing know, aDick it black proves had man–something that thought Dick that has Clutterleave. confessed. had But He a Dick gives large wanted a to safe.process full look confession. takes around When more. they hours. didn’t They wake findkill Perry and him it, is tie if Perry up frantic. he wanted the does. to entireupstairs. Dick Finally, family. Perry wants The shoots to the rape two downstairs Nancy, and but then Perry Dick shoots threatens the to walk two from the cars to the jail.

19 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. Perry keeps a journal in his cell. He corrects his earlier confession, saying that in fact Meanwhile, Dick seems very relaxed, smoking and reading, but hePerry’s diary is continues. working He on notes an that the sheriff searched the rooms and found Dick’s The trial begins. The state-appointed counsel suggests a change of venue,On the but first it day is of the trial, the jury is selected. Perry pays little attention, focusing on The confession is a climax insofar as it represents the end of the mystery and chase that or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form Summary The Garden City jail ishome on of the Wendle fourth Meier, floor the of assistantpart the sheriff, of county and their courthouse. his apartment, wife, and Thather Josephine. so floor husband, Perry is who The becomes also was "ladies’ a at the cell" the part is scene of of it. the crime, Josephine corrects finds her. himhe gentle, personally but shot all four victims.the He death hears penalty. on the Neither radio Perry’sfrom that sister an the nor old district army father attorney friend, come willto seek Don to be Cullivan, visit who Perry’s him. friend read and about Heexplaining tell the receives how case him a he in about letter doesn’t the Catholicism. believe in papers. Perry religion Don but crafts wants would an love enthusiastic to response, be Don’sicepick-like friend. "shiv" crafted from a brush he stole, and planning escape. "shiv." He fantasizes that some menof he it. sees He outside dreams plan of to the rescue big, him, yellow but parrot nothing that comes will rescuedenied. him. A psychologist is called in.estate sale There will is take a place request to the delay day the before trial, the because trial, the but Clutter it isthe denied. "autobiography" that the psychologistintensely, mentioning asked some him of to the write.but more is He traumatic more writes casual, events and disjointedly, of pays but his some life. attention to Dick the does jury the selection. same, Summary and Analysis The Corner: 1 of 2 of the next chapter is inmain the street present in tense; Garden it City. simply describes how cats constantly prowl the occupies the police for mostand Perry of killed the the novel. Cluttermotive family, but is Throughout, the also it details revealed: is are They clear unclear. werewrong. hoping to Now Later, to they the Perry find are reader will a revealed. safe change thatkilled The full his Dick each of story of money. somewhat, the It admitting is Clutters. thatremains a it But, is robbery was for the gone he the slow who and most actually inevitable part, approach all of the the mysteries execution. are solved, and all that

20 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. The next day, the state begins to present its case. Routine witnesses are called, such as Don Cullivan visits Perry in his jail cell. AttemptsOn Monday, to the convert defense Perry makes its fail, case. but The the only two witness of substance is the psychol- Much has been written about the way society regards insanity and punishes or addresses It is important to remember that the psychologist is not sure whether Perry is a paranoid As issues of insanity and sympathy circle Perry, Dick remains a simple character. He or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form Summary and Analysis those who were at the scene ofthe the crime. week; Floyd Dewey Wells testifies. isfirst the The trial time last progresses the through to public testify. hasmurders. heard His a The description testimony fact of that is Dick what very wanted actually important, to took rape because place Nancy on it Clutter the is shocks night the the share of courtroom. a the dinner Mrs. Meier has prepared. ogist. According to Kansas’or M’Naghten not Rule a all defendant a could tell psychologistthe psychologist right can says from do that wrong is he at is testify theCapote not whether time sure, includes of but what the the judge crime. the doespotential In not psychologist paranoid regards let would schizophrenic. to him say Perry, have anything said, further. carefully diagnosing Perry as a Commentary In these and the concluding chapters, Capote’s opinion onIt the death is penalty comes obvious to that the fore. CapoteM’Naghten wants Rule, to or make he a would political notHe statement. have wants transcribed First, to the he tell psychologist’s clearly the would-beat opposes reader statement. length the what from the a court study did done not regarding allow. insanity Also, and the after death this penalty. section,insanity, he but here quotes it is enoughavailable to to say the that jury Capote as feels possible as before much information the should accused be are made condemned toschizophrenic death. or not. Perhaps one ofhim- the or greatest herself challenges whether the Perry reader is faces is crazy deciding and for whether his actions meritis death. the straight man; PerryFloyd is Wells as the the complex snitch figure. leaves the Dickthat witness Capote stand. tries makes to Dick his escape is case the but against classicambiguity. fails; the criminal. he death It curses penalty, is and at in gives Perry the novel a general sense of The Corner: 2 of 2 Summary The high society of Garden City comesJudge to Tate the is courtroom to famous hear for the his summations of addresses the to case. the jury. He calls for the death penalty, and they

21 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. In the corner of Lansing Penitentiary is a small enclosure, Death Row. It is known as "the Dick passes the time smoking and reading erotic novels and law books. He constantly The prisoners are eventually joined by George York and James Latham, two AWOL One of Dick’s letters works. A representative of the Kansas bar association, a man Talking to a journalist who is periodically allowed to visit, Dick describes the night After a total of five years–the case has been to the Supreme Court twice–Perry and Dick or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form Summary and Analysis return it. He had askedthe the courtroom, jury Perry not to says be toout "chicken-hearted," Dick, loud. and "No as chicken-hearted the jurors, two they," prisoners and leave they both laugh Corner." Along with Dick andLee Perry, Andrews, there a are young biology three studentis prisoners. who certifiably slaughtered One schizophrenic, his and is family a the andhim. book famous then arguing confessed. Lowell against He the M’Naghten Rule was based on writes to various organizations requesting help with appeals.himself Meanwhile to Perry tries death. to starve Then–uponTwo years receiving of a postponed execution letter dates from fly his by. father–decides he wants to(absent live. without leave) soldiers–teenagers whohaving decided went that on they a hated life. killing spree across the country named Shultz, takes up thethat case. the A state-appointed hearing defense is didBut held, Tate, not claiming the lawyers, try that and the hard the jury jury enough,had quickly was and a and prejudiced, fair fiercely that dispel trial. Judge any doubt Tate that was Dick biased. and Perry Andrews is executed. Dickvery educated liked and was Andrews, constantly but correcting Perry’sDick Andrews speech, speaks as annoyed Perry about Perry once how corrected he because Dick’s. likeswith he the Perry, whom was other he prisoners thinks and is always aboutthe jealous how and death he two-faced. penalty, has for Dick tried he says to that understands get he the is along impulse not for against revenge. are hanged on April 15, 1965.everyone is. Dewey attends Dick the enters, execution. says thatwith He the he is four holds surprised KBI officers, no by and hard how is feelings casual hanged.When against Perry asked the enters for state, and winks shakes his "mischievously" hands at last Dewey. and words, that he he sobers is up.he sorry, He remembers and says a he that recent is he tripvisiting hanged. is the to grave against the of As the graveyard. Nancy death he Clutter.Bobby There, penalty exits, Susan Rupp he told had Dewey him ran just does about into been how not married. Susan well feel she Kidwell, The was relief; wind who doing blows instead, was and over how the grass.

22 is more significant than the extent to which it "retries" Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. In Cold Blood Among other techniques employed to bring to the novel a tone of closure, Capote If anything about or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form Dick and Perry, it ishimself its brings experimental up nature. this question Is as hethe the begins novel, "nonfiction to he novel" introduce himself has successful? as painted a Capote obvious detailed character. that emotional Throughout portraits he of has manyexecution, interviewed of Dick them his talks at with characters, "a length. making journalistis it who as But was clear when, allowed to as in visit," daylight.events the that of last journalist’s the Capote identity section novel, in too, before a becausehe the sense he writes acknowledges was that in the Perry’s only communication fact friend withalso that was all becoming he Don the a Cullivan, was characters. and friend. a one Earlier, asked. part thinks Throughout that of Now, the finally, surely the he novel, Capote makes one was a iswho concession is curious and surely admits about Capote. that the Dick It questions was is talking Capote a to gracious a gesture. journalist Summary and Analysis Commentary As the novel laborsFirst, to its it close, is reported CapoteThis in again removes the plays the papers, with reader narrative then fromand time the Dewey’s then experience criminals. at suddenly at the the Dick the execution. reader wasthe execution learns speaking executions. is about intimately Then the described. to the macroscopic a reader details journalist, actually of sees the the court executions, case through and Dewey’s eyes. of increasingly refers to Perry and Dick as Smith andnative Hickock. to official Using uses–Capote last names is is symbolically a mannerism representingon the the distancing characters. effect The the trial trial refers has torest them of by their the last novel names, fade and the intorepresents "Dick courtroom and the Perry" entities. of fact the In that manyofficial, the ways, Capote’s this trial book difference is and in in the name many way usage sympathize book a with are second Dick trial, otherwise and an similar. Perry, attempt or totheir at make Although deaths. the least the average to reader trial make is the reader understand the "tragedy" of

23 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. STUDY QUESTIONS While Dick may have usually been in control, Perry did most of the work. He was or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form 1. Analyze the relationship between DickDick and Perry. controls Perry. Perry,is on the the night other of hand,to the is leave, murders. much he braver. insisted Dick that mastermindedprevents The Dick they the best from stay crime, raping example and Nancy, and of but lookon the even this again a fact when for case remains Perry by that the case Perry wanted safe. basis, wasto to reacting a Of Dick’s emotionally, actions. plan, course, convincing Dick, it Perry on to is theattached go other Perry to along hand, who with Perry was him. and operating never according While manages Dick to is more get controlling, rid he of grows him, whatever heable may to say murder, to and himself. duringmore interrogations, romantic Dick of cracked the first.psychologist two; brought In he in many by is ways, the moreDick Perry defense, interesting is is calls as Perry the sane. a a paranoiddoes Perry literary schizophrenic. not dreams character. listen. He of is Perry Dr. a crazy; catchesheadache. giant a Jones, parrot; While huge the Perry blue when fin worries hehim fish, about tells to but getting Dick shut Dick caught does about up. and not the wantsbeside While fish to Perry. dream, Dick because talk Dick may he about be has it, the a Dick controlling tells mastermind, he is a shallow2. character How does Capoteand color doom? the opening section with aFirst sense and of impending most murder obviously,Additionally, he he describes titles the last the daythat opening it of is Clutter section their family last. "The in Forunaware great example, Last that he detail, writes to it always that mentioning would Clutter See be "headedoutcome for Them his home of last." and Alive." the This the day’s story counterbalances work, from thetrial the fact actually happened, that beginning. they the were Because reader public the knowledge,the knows and Clutter the so details murder his of contemporary and readers the the knew coming subsequent case deaths instead before of they making them started surprises. the novel. Therefore,3. Capote Does emphasizes Capote the take a standNot on explicitly. the However, death he penalty? does selectthe details reader and become construct frustrated his withthe narrative the in reader legal a knows system. way that that Dewey Fornot let believes example, backed Dick although up is he by ultimately makes the responsible sure rest for of the the crime, book. this is The rest of the book is ultimately irresolute about Study Questions

24 ? In other words, how does the back- and- Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. In Cold Blood have a protagonist? Is it Herb Clutter? Dewey? Perry? a creative work? Is it more than journalism? Why or why not? In Cold Blood In Cold Blood By poking holes in the condemnation of Dick and Perry, Capote implicitly argues that or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form forth description of events in Holcombthe and events novel surrounding more Dick vivid? and Perry make 9. In whatstruction ways does of the Capote book? revealhis the Is nature absence it of endanger important his thePrinciple. that research credibility Capote through himself of the is the con- never narrative? named? Does Think of10. the Is Heisenberg Study Questions Explain. 6. Why did Capotenarrative leave benefit out from descriptions this of exlusion? the two older Clutter sisters? Did7. the WhatThink role of does Perry’s dream "dreaming" ofnightmares. play the How parrot in reliable and the is of what novel, finding Capote gold tells both in us figuratively Mexico, about and these and of dreams? 8. literally? Dewey’s How is montage used in whether or not Dick is responsible.because So, he when hasn’t killed Dick anyone, complains Capote that hasmakes he invited shouldn’t the us be reader to executed sympathetic sympathize with to him. Perry’sof case. Capote pleading also insanity, Because the Kansas jury law neverschizophrenic. takes learns a that Yet very Capote Dr. strict writes Jones view a hassaid verbatim diagnosed had account Perry he of as been what a able the paranoid for to psychologist not speak would letting openly. have the Thus, jury Kansas know and the Judge truth Tate about are Perry’s implicitly mental blamed instability. the death penalty is beingKansas used citizens. inappropriately, After as all, a he meansthem includes to because the he quell detail doesn’t the that feel fears the it and Kansas would anger be governor of does "in the not interest" pardon of4. Kansas citizens. What does thesurrounding crime the reveal murders about reflect the underlying town truths of about Holcomb? the town? How does the5. gossip Does

25 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. REVIEW AND RESOURCES A. Flo Buckskin met Tex JohnB. Smith Flo in Buckskin the rescued rodeo Tex John circuit. C. Smith Flo from Buckskin drowning convinced in Tex John theD. Smith Arkansas Flo to River. Buckskin join joined her Tex John motorcycle Smith’s gang. construction company. A. Kidwell B. Alvin Dewey, Jr. C. Duane D. Rupp A. Electrocution B. Gas chamber C. Hanging D. Firing squad A. Its streets are unpaved. B. The place where teachers liveC. is Promising called students "the leave and teacherage." finishD. high It school does in not Garden have its City. own police force. A. Some of the suspect’s hair B. Fingerprints C. Footprints D. Bloody snowshoes or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form 5. How did Perry’s parents meet? 4. Who is Nancy Clutter’s boyfriend? 3. How are Dick and Perry executed? 2. Which of the following statements about Holcomb is not true? Review Quiz 1. Other than the missing radio, what clue is left at the scene of the crime? Review and Resources

26 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. A. The marriage of Herbert’sB. youngest Bobby surviving Rupp’s daughter. marriage. C. The Clutter estate sale. D. The death of Flo Buckskin. A. He hopes to demolishB. the He house. hopes to rape NancyC. He Clutter. hopes to steal theD. He plans hopes for to a find big a grain shipment. giant drug stash. A. The great parrot B. Willie-Jay C. Nancy Clutter D. Jesus Christ A. An old mule and oneB. Binoculars day’s provisions and a radio C. Soup and a power drill D. Jewelry and the television A. He killed his own parents. B. He becomes Dick’s good friend. C. He corrects Perry’s grammar. D. He smokes too much. A. a giant sail fish. B. a new German wife. C. Inez, the glowering prostitute. D. his new car. or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form 11. What event coincides with the start of the trial? 10. In additionClutter to household? murder and theft, what crime does Dick hope to commit in the 9. What does Perry depict in pastels? 8. Other than money, what do Perry and Dick take from the Clutter home? Review and Resources 7. Why does Perry resent Lowell Lee Andrews? 6. In Mexico, Perry is photographed with

27 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. A. Nancy B. Bobby C. Kenyon D. Nye A. A convent B. A zoo C. A boardwalk D. A hotel A. Spanish B. American C. Russian D. German A. Holcomb B. Garden City C. Chicago D. Las Vegas A. Holcomb B. Garden City C. Chicago D. Las Vegas A. Garden City B. Holcomb C. Washington D. Las Vegas or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form 17. Who was murdered in the basement den? 16. As a child, where was Perry physically abused because he was a bed wetter? 15. While in Mexico, Perry and Dick spent time with a tourist of what nationality? 14. The Clutter’s farm was near what town? Review and Resources 13. Where are Perry and Dick arrested? 12. Where is the trial held?

28 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. A. Las Vegas B. Mexico City C. Paradise City D. Miami A. Cancer B. Sclerosis C. Chronic depression D. Drug addiction A. One B. Two C. Three D. Four A. Harold Nye B. Wild Bill Hickock C. Clarence Duntz D. Alvin Dewey A. Floyd Wells B. Willie-Jay C. Duane Reds D. Frank Kermode A. Two months B. Two years C. Five years D. Seven Years or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form 23. Where do Dick and Perry spend Christmas? 22. Which of the following ailments applies to Bonnie Clutter? 21. How many Clutter children are there? 20. What is the name of the KBI agent in charge of the investigation? Review and Resources 19. Dick learned of the Clutter family from whom? 18. How long do Dick and Perry spend on death row?

29 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. A. To break his parole B. To meet up with Dick C. To meet up with Willie-Jay D. To kill the Clutters A. Breaking and entering B. Passing hot checks C. Killing lawyers D. Money laundering or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form Review and Resources 25. What is Perry’s primary reason for returning to Kansas? 24. Which crime does Dick regularly commit?

30 :C :D :B :C 22 23 24 25 :D :A :C :C :A :D :D 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. :B :C :A :D :A :D :B 10 11 12 13 14 9 8 or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. :C :D :C :D :A :A :C All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form Review and Resources Answer Key: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

31 New York: New American Library, 1985. Warren French, ed. Boston: Twaye Publishers, 1981. New York: Frederick Ungar Publishing Co., 1980. New York: Random House, 1966. Copyright 2002 by SparkNotes LLC. Truman Capote. Conversations with Capote. Truman Capote. In Cold Blood. or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, any file sharing system, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of SparkNotes LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form Grobel, Lawrence. Reed, Kenneth T., in Garson, Helen S. Review and Resources Further Reading Capote, Truman.