Basic Information
Author: Truman Capote was born in New Orleans in 1924. He
was raised by his aunts in Monroe, Alabama. As a young child, he became
passionate about writing. In fact, he stated that he would “practice writing”
after school, and would often write for three hours. Later, he was sent to live
with his mother in New York City. There, he dropped out of high school and
found a job at The New Yorker
magazine. Capote then wrote his first book, Other
Voices, Other Rooms (1948) which gained him success. From there, he wrote other
novels such as Breakfast at Tiffany’s
(1958) and finally, In Cold Blood
(1966). In 1948, Capote met a writer
named Jack Dunphy. They later engaged in a relationship which lasted thirty-five years. Capote was
known for his drug and alcohol use. He had entered rehabilitation centers many
times throughout his life. His addiction also created a strain on his
relationship with Jack Dunphy. The two later ended the relationship, however they remained
close friends. In Capote's final years, his struggle with his addiction reached its
peak. Capote died at his friend, Joanne Carson's, home in Los Angeles on August
25, 1984 (Encyclopedia Alabama).
In Cold Blood is considered one of his best works. The creation of the non-fiction novel, however, was detrimental to his psychological and physical health. In order to calm himself after the publication of the novel, Capote began drinking heavier and abusing tranquilizers. In order to write In Cold Blood, Capote interviewed many people, including the killers detailed in the novel. He attended their murder trial as well as their execution, which led to his mental deterioration.
In Cold Blood is considered one of his best works. The creation of the non-fiction novel, however, was detrimental to his psychological and physical health. In order to calm himself after the publication of the novel, Capote began drinking heavier and abusing tranquilizers. In order to write In Cold Blood, Capote interviewed many people, including the killers detailed in the novel. He attended their murder trial as well as their execution, which led to his mental deterioration.
Genre: In Cold Blood is a non-fiction novel. It details the Clutter
family murder case which occurred in 1959. While creating the novel, Capote used many different literary techniques usually found in fictional writing such as dramatizing the characters and building suspense. He did this in order to draw in the readers and retell the case as a story.
Setting: The book takes place in many different areas.
In Cold Blood opens in Holcomb, Kansas. There, Capote follows the murderers
into Mexico, Kansas City, Garden City, Miami, and Las Vegas. A few flashbacks
take the audience to other places around the country (such as Alaska). The novel, however,
takes place most frequently in Kansas. The murders take place in the Clutter
family house in Holcomb, Kansas. Their house is large and situated on a farm
which Herb Clutter owns.
Significance of Title: The novel centers on the murders of the four members of the Clutter family. When what happened at the time of the murder is revealed, the events described were gruesome. Perry and Dick were cruel and brutal during the killings, expressing little remorse for their actions. The title In Cold Blood refers to the murders by Perry and Dick. The title also refers to the idiom "in cold blood," which is used to define actions performed without feeling or with cruel intent.
Significance of Title: The novel centers on the murders of the four members of the Clutter family. When what happened at the time of the murder is revealed, the events described were gruesome. Perry and Dick were cruel and brutal during the killings, expressing little remorse for their actions. The title In Cold Blood refers to the murders by Perry and Dick. The title also refers to the idiom "in cold blood," which is used to define actions performed without feeling or with cruel intent.
Character Descriptions:
Perry Edward Smith: Perry is one of the killers that murdered the Clutter family. He is described as half Irish and half Native American. Capote describes Perry as a short man with a muscular/built upper body. It is revealed that Perry's legs were injured after a motorcycle accident, causing lasting mental scars and trauma. This leads him to become addicted to aspirin. Perry also suffers from a traumatic past and childhood, especially because he was malnourished as a child--which later causes him health complications. At a young age, Perry was abandoned by his parents. He lacks a supportive family and later chooses to isolate himself from his family. He suffered through an abusive childhood and was diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic by a psychologist after being arrested for the murder. For this reason, throughout the novel, Perry constantly dreams of a yellow bird saving him from people that might harm him. Although Perry wanted to be well-educated, he was unable to study beyond 3rd grade due to his family problems. However, Perry thinks highly of his intelligence level and is a dreamer latching on to many fantasies. He considers himself to be more sensitive and compassionate than Dick. Perry's major motif is to find treasure along with his buddy Dick and to luxuriously spend the wealth.
Richard (Dick) Eugene Hickock: Dick assisted Perry with the Clutter family killings. Dick is a small white male who is overconfident and cruel. Dick was raised in Kansas and had suffered head trauma in a car accident in July of 1950. It is revealed that Dick is a pedophile. He is more down to earth than Perry; however, as the novel progresses, Dick becomes less brutal or fearless than he believes. Towards the end of the novel, it becomes evident that Dick feels insecure that he is unable to support his own family, which results in his getting involved with criminal actions. Dick originally began his criminal career with theft and passing bad checks. Unlike Perry, Dick had a normal family life. His family was lower middle class, however, they always managed to get by. Before the car accident, Dick's parents reported that he was less aggressive. During his high school years he was involved with sports and made average to above average grades. Some believe that the accident was what caused him to turn violent.
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Herbert Clutter: Herbert Clutter is the father in the Clutter family household and owner of River Valley Farm. Though he started with very little, Herbert earned his wealth through honest means. In the novel, he embodies the American Dream. Herbert is a devout Methodist and cannot stand substance abuse, especially the consumption of alcohol. He was a highly revered community leader and was very involved in the public. Herbert was killed by Dick and Perry.
Nancy Clutter: Nancy Clutter is Herbert Clutter’s youngest daughter. She, along with her father, was highly respected and popular. She was very involved with her community and was very intelligent. Nancy was known for being helpful and compassionate. In the novel, the author details how Nancy was teaching a local girl how to bake a cherry pie. At the time of her death, she was dating a popular boy in town, though their relationship was strained at times because they did not share the same religion. Nancy embodies the image of the perfect American teenage girl. She was one of the family members murdered by Dick and Perry.
Bonnie Clutter: Bonnie Clutter is the wife of Herbert and the mother of both Nancy and Kenyon. She was killed along with her family. Bonnie was unstable and suffered mental disabilities. She feared that her children no longer needed her. Responsibilities made Bonnie nervous and she was often indecisive. Consequently, she was often isolated and stayed home, though throughout the book, she always tried to do the best she could to raise her children. Bonnie is still very compassionate. However, the town does not admire Bonnie as they do with her husband. It is detailed that Bonnie Clutter was unable to handle her husband’s social life.
Kenyon Clutter: Kenyon is one of the youngest of the Clutter children. He was murdered alongside his family. Kenyon is awkward but is considered kind and intelligent. Capote reported that his interests included carpentry and mechanics. At the time of the murder, Kenyon did not have a girlfriend and was not yet interested in girls. It is revealed that he felt abandoned by his best friend who was too busy dating a girl. He was more isolated than Nancy and was not as popular. However, the community recognized his intelligence and still considered him to be respectable and kind.
Nancy Clutter: Nancy Clutter is Herbert Clutter’s youngest daughter. She, along with her father, was highly respected and popular. She was very involved with her community and was very intelligent. Nancy was known for being helpful and compassionate. In the novel, the author details how Nancy was teaching a local girl how to bake a cherry pie. At the time of her death, she was dating a popular boy in town, though their relationship was strained at times because they did not share the same religion. Nancy embodies the image of the perfect American teenage girl. She was one of the family members murdered by Dick and Perry.
Bonnie Clutter: Bonnie Clutter is the wife of Herbert and the mother of both Nancy and Kenyon. She was killed along with her family. Bonnie was unstable and suffered mental disabilities. She feared that her children no longer needed her. Responsibilities made Bonnie nervous and she was often indecisive. Consequently, she was often isolated and stayed home, though throughout the book, she always tried to do the best she could to raise her children. Bonnie is still very compassionate. However, the town does not admire Bonnie as they do with her husband. It is detailed that Bonnie Clutter was unable to handle her husband’s social life.
Kenyon Clutter: Kenyon is one of the youngest of the Clutter children. He was murdered alongside his family. Kenyon is awkward but is considered kind and intelligent. Capote reported that his interests included carpentry and mechanics. At the time of the murder, Kenyon did not have a girlfriend and was not yet interested in girls. It is revealed that he felt abandoned by his best friend who was too busy dating a girl. He was more isolated than Nancy and was not as popular. However, the community recognized his intelligence and still considered him to be respectable and kind.
Alvin Dewey: Alvin Dewey is part of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI). He was assigned to investigate the Clutter family murders. As the investigation continued, Dewey became immersed within the case. He became obsessive over it, because he investigated the case without getting much sleep and by staying away from his family members. For this reason, his family becomes very worried about him. Throughout the novel, Dewey is often criticized by members of the community--placing the blame on Dewey for not being able to catch the criminals. Dewey was formally a family friend of the Clutter family. Many critics believe that Dewey's experience with the case closely resembled Capote's experiences.
Tex John Smith: Tex Smith is Perry’s father. He and Perry’s mother performed at rodeos. Eventually, the two part ways, leading to Perry’s traumatic childhood. Tex considers himself a “lone wolf” and strays away from human interaction and relationships. Tex states that he loved Perry, but failed to visit him in prison. Tex and Perry also tried to create a lodge for tourists together, but unfortunately, not many tourists showed up, and Tex's and Perry's relationship fell to fighting between themselves over the last biscuit. Tex tossed his son's belongings out into the snow while Perry went on a walk to calm down. When Perry returned and saw his father's overt rejection of him, he decided to take to the highway and embark on a life of crime. This incident can be interpreted as a crucial turning point between the father's and son's relationship. It is through a letter from Tex that Perry's family history is revealed to the audience.
Floyd Wells: Floyd Wells was a fellow inmate of Dick at Lansing prison. He and Dick shared a cell together. In the novel, Floyd Wells reveals to Dick that he had worked for Herbert Clutter earlier in his life. Dick asks if the Clutters are rich and Floyd admits that they are. Dick then reveals to Floyd his plan of murdering and robbing the Clutters once he is release from prison. Floyd later informs police officer that it was Dick and Perry who murdered the Clutters. He is later called up to testify for the trial.
Don Cullivan: Don Cullivan was in the army along with Perry. After hearing about his arrest and trial, Don visits Perry in jail and tries to convert him to Catholicism. Don represents the rejection of religion by individuals in society--especially those that have encountered hardships in their life. Although Perry rejects Don's intentions, Perry clings to him, longing for a friend.
Willie-Jay: Willie-Jay assisted the minister at the Lansing prison. He befriends Perry during his stay at Lansing. Perry adopts him as a mentor and constantly seeks his advice. Perry mentions Willie-Jay often to Dick during their relationship, much to Dick's annoyance. During difficult times and hardships that Perry experiences in the novel, Perry often refers to or remembers Willie-Jay. Willie-Jay represents a guiding light for Perry.
Barbara Johnson: Barbara Johnson is Perry’s only remaining sibling. His other two siblings had passed away earlier. Barbara is extremely afraid of Perry. In return, Perry despises her. She represents the life that Perry could have led, had he overcome his internal demons. Though Barbara is scared of Perry's mental instabilities, she takes the time to write him a letter of advisement in which she warns him to leave the path of crime he has willingly chosen. She does not provide Perry with the compassion and understanding that he craves, which causes him to lash out at her and hate her. He later states that he wished Barbara was in there during the murders.
Author Information citation:
McMillan, Norman. "EOA Links." Encyclopedia of Alabama: Truman Capote. The University of Alabama, 14 Mar. 2007. Web. 20 Apr. 2014.
Picture citations:
Brooks, Richard. Alvin Dewey. Digital image. Aveleyman-Actor, Film, &TV Vidcaps. Aveleyman, n.d. Web. 30 May 2014.
Cathcart, Michael. The Clutter Family. Digital image. ABC. ABC, 5 Aug. 2013. Web. 30 May 2014.
Duggan, Seamus. Dick Hickock & Perry Smith. Digital image. In Cold Blood. Seamus Duggan, 9 May 2012. Web. 30 May 2014.
Schapiro, Steve. Truman Capote, Holcomb, Kansas, April,1967. Digital image.Monroe Gallery of Photography. Monroe Gallery, n.d. Web. 30 May 2014.
Wells, Jeffrey. Clutter-family Killer Perry Smith and Truman Capote. Digital image. Hollywood Elsewhere. Hollywood Elsewhere, 2014. Web. 30 May 2014.
Winkels, Edwin. Truman Capote in Palamós. Digital image. Edwin Winkels. N.p., 26 Apr. 2010. Web. 30 May 2014.
Floyd Wells: Floyd Wells was a fellow inmate of Dick at Lansing prison. He and Dick shared a cell together. In the novel, Floyd Wells reveals to Dick that he had worked for Herbert Clutter earlier in his life. Dick asks if the Clutters are rich and Floyd admits that they are. Dick then reveals to Floyd his plan of murdering and robbing the Clutters once he is release from prison. Floyd later informs police officer that it was Dick and Perry who murdered the Clutters. He is later called up to testify for the trial.
Don Cullivan: Don Cullivan was in the army along with Perry. After hearing about his arrest and trial, Don visits Perry in jail and tries to convert him to Catholicism. Don represents the rejection of religion by individuals in society--especially those that have encountered hardships in their life. Although Perry rejects Don's intentions, Perry clings to him, longing for a friend.
Willie-Jay: Willie-Jay assisted the minister at the Lansing prison. He befriends Perry during his stay at Lansing. Perry adopts him as a mentor and constantly seeks his advice. Perry mentions Willie-Jay often to Dick during their relationship, much to Dick's annoyance. During difficult times and hardships that Perry experiences in the novel, Perry often refers to or remembers Willie-Jay. Willie-Jay represents a guiding light for Perry.
Barbara Johnson: Barbara Johnson is Perry’s only remaining sibling. His other two siblings had passed away earlier. Barbara is extremely afraid of Perry. In return, Perry despises her. She represents the life that Perry could have led, had he overcome his internal demons. Though Barbara is scared of Perry's mental instabilities, she takes the time to write him a letter of advisement in which she warns him to leave the path of crime he has willingly chosen. She does not provide Perry with the compassion and understanding that he craves, which causes him to lash out at her and hate her. He later states that he wished Barbara was in there during the murders.
Author Information citation:
McMillan, Norman. "EOA Links." Encyclopedia of Alabama: Truman Capote. The University of Alabama, 14 Mar. 2007. Web. 20 Apr. 2014.
Picture citations:
Brooks, Richard. Alvin Dewey. Digital image. Aveleyman-Actor, Film, &TV Vidcaps. Aveleyman, n.d. Web. 30 May 2014.
Cathcart, Michael. The Clutter Family. Digital image. ABC. ABC, 5 Aug. 2013. Web. 30 May 2014.
Duggan, Seamus. Dick Hickock & Perry Smith. Digital image. In Cold Blood. Seamus Duggan, 9 May 2012. Web. 30 May 2014.
Schapiro, Steve. Truman Capote, Holcomb, Kansas, April,1967. Digital image.Monroe Gallery of Photography. Monroe Gallery, n.d. Web. 30 May 2014.
Wells, Jeffrey. Clutter-family Killer Perry Smith and Truman Capote. Digital image. Hollywood Elsewhere. Hollywood Elsewhere, 2014. Web. 30 May 2014.
Winkels, Edwin. Truman Capote in Palamós. Digital image. Edwin Winkels. N.p., 26 Apr. 2010. Web. 30 May 2014.