Physiological and Physical Effects On The Convicts

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Truman Capote has been deemed as one of the most revolutionary writers of the twentieth century. His different writing styles, vast knowledge, and use of his own opinions on his works have come to produce some of the greatest literary products in modern times. One of Capote’s paramount works, In Cold Blood, captures a mid-western family located in Kansas and focus on the details surrounding the brutal butchering of their family. Five years of intense research follows, and during which time Capote became very close to the two murderers, Richard Eugene Hickock and Perry Edward Smith. Capote examines the two murderers and studies their psychological and cognitive indifferences to understand why they committed such a heinous crime. Both Dick and Perry’s personalities are very complex and their disorders have many underlying and irreversible affects.
Richard Eugene Hickock, better known as “Dick” throughout the book, suffers tremendously from the constant realization that he is a disappointment to his parents. Dick most likely felt alone and rejected from society due to the constant lying that comes second nature to him. Depression would also most likely be a contributing factor to all of his daily problems. Jail, his first complicated marriage, and debt all had a consuming effect on Dick’s life. All of these overwhelming factors in his life have left him to make some pretty drastic decisions in his life including the grisly murder of the clutter family. Dick’s intellect is what helps him to devise intricate lies and short-term solutions to complex problems. Hickock was a womanizer after his divorce with his first wife. His family consisted of a wife and three children. Hickock had no problem walking away from his three children due...

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...These two naturally gravitate towards one another due to their personalities. Dick being the stronger and more aggressive needs a person like Perry who would naturally follow suit as long as he gained the approval he desired. During the event of the murders Perry will not leave Dick alone with the girls because he knows that Dick is evil and would most likely sexually attack them. Perry kills all four of the Clutters and it all starts because Perry was trying to show Dick he wasn't man enough to do it. He was taunting him, and then ended up slitting Herb Clutters throat in the basement. After, Perry shoots Herb, Kenyon, Nancy, and finally Bonnie. In the end when Perry is hanged he says he knows it doesn't matter, but he does apologize. Perry is a paranoid schizophrenic and wasn't emotionally connected to the Clutter's. This explains why he does not feel guilty.

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