In Cold Blood Part 4 Flashcards

Impressions and Treatment

• Mrs. Meier views Perry Smith as not the worst young man, showing initial compassion.
• She treats Perry kindly, contrasting his identity as a murderer with her understanding of his humanity.

Perry's Character Depth

• Perry wishes to amend his police statement to assure Dick's mother her son didn't pull the trigger, revealing empathy and care despite his criminal actions.
• Perry's response to Don Cullivan’s letter highlights his feelings of isolation and the value of human connection in his life.

Symbolism and Motivation

• The big yellow bird symbolizes Perry's yearning for freedom and escape from his circumstances.
• Dick's motivation for invading the Clutter home was centered on the intent to rape Nancy Clutter, admitting his premeditated plan.

Psychological Insights

• Capote's inclusion of Dr. Jones's psychiatric report, despite its exclusion from the trial, provides essential context for understanding Perry and Dick's motivations.
• Perry initiates a hunger strike as a form of resistance but is swayed to end it upon receiving a heartfelt postcard from his father.

Legal Context and Appeals

• Dick actively studies law to plan his appeal, criticizing his trial's fairness based on jury bias.
• Hickock's claims of an unfair trial raise questions about the integrity of the judicial process in Kansas.

Narrative Style and Themes

• The alliteration in the closing sentence generates a haunting ambiance, emphasizing Dewey's sense of being followed.
• Capote's title "The Corner" connects to Perry’s confinement in a cell designated for women, reflecting his unique position in the justice system.

Important Characters

• Floyd Wells, Dick’s former cellmate and key informant, earns a reward for providing critical information post-Clutter case, serving as a narrative catalyst.
• Donald Cullivan represents the humanity that continues to exist even within the minds of killers, emphasizing the need for companionship.

Philosophical Reflections

• Perry acknowledges his uncertain reasoning behind killing the Clutters, indicating a disconnect between actions and justifications.
• The M'Naghten Rule, which focuses on the ability to discern right from wrong, plays a vital role in the trial, framing Dick and Perry's mental state.

Capital Punishment Insights

• The time from the Clutter murders to execution spanned 5.5 years, illustrating the lengthy legal processes involved in capital punishment.
• Hickock’s last words reflect a sense of resignation and philosophical acceptance of his fate.

Living Conditions and Individual Plans

• In the Garden City jail, Perry experiences solitary confinement, while Dick shares space with other inmates, underlining their divergent realities.
• Dick's escape plan involves a violent approach while Perry's relies on external assistance, showcasing their different moral compasses.

Societal Responses to Crime

• The community's reaction to holding the trial in Garden City showcases societal divisions and biases against the Clutter family.
• Dick's mother grapples with feelings of parental failure, highlighting the emotional weight carried by family members of criminals.

Religious Dimensions of Justice

• Discussions on the death penalty incorporate religious arguments for retribution versus the moral implications of state-sanctioned killing, framing the debate within broader ethical considerations.

Final Outcomes

• Lowell Lee Andrews' crime of murdering his family with firearms adds complexity to the narrative landscape of violent crime.
• Dick and Perry's execution on April 14, 1965, marks the culmination of their tragic stories and societal rejection of their actions.

Capote's Critique of Capital Punishment

• Capote portrays the physical turmoil of prisoners during execution to evoke sympathy, implicitly opposing the death penalty and its inhumane aspects.