In Cold Blood Part III Quiz

Floyd Wells and His Revelation

• Floyd Wells, a former cellmate of Dick, disclosed crucial details about the Clutters' safe to Dick.
• Fear of being labeled a snitch delayed Wells from approaching the police.

Dick's Background and Family Perspective

• Dick's parents recounted a troubling journey: promising beginnings, college aspirations, marriage, debt, and eventual criminal activities.
• They viewed Perry negatively, associating him with Dick's downfall, although they noted Dick appeared unaffected post-crime until he fell asleep at a game.

The Nebraska Plan and Its Disruption

• Dick and Perry intended to execute a violent plan during a ride to Nebraska, using a distraction with a match to gain control of the vehicle.
• Their scheme fell apart when a hitchhiking soldier was picked up instead.

Perry's Life Circumstances

• The landlady described Perry unfavorably, detailing his attempts to pawn a car and his need for a bus ticket to escape.
• Investigators found a box of personal artifacts revealing Perry's lonely existence, including odd mementos and a collection of medicines.

Perry's Family Dynamics

• Perry's sister expressed ambivalence, admitting fear and sympathy for him; her attempts to improve his life were ultimately unsuccessful.
• Her lack of residence in Fort Scott, Kansas, cast doubt on Perry's claims about his past.

Perry's Feelings Toward Siblings

• Perry harbored resentment towards his siblings for their educational successes.
• Two siblings committed suicide, while Fern remains the only one alive and married.

Dick's Risky Plan

• Dick planned to return to Kansas City despite several legal issues, a move Perry labeled as reckless due to their precarious situation.

Agent Dewey's Caution

• Agent Dewey refrained from revealing suspect identities to the public, fearing potential innocence and lack of solid evidence.

Local Reactions to the Clutter Case

• News about the Clutter case spread more rapidly in Garden City due to a culture of silence in Holcomb.

Perry's Trust Issues

• While waiting for Dick, Perry feared possible arrest, trusting Dick would remain loyal under pressure.

Perry's Distaste for Dick's Behavior

• Perry was troubled by Dick's pedophilic tendencies which contradicted his own values against perversion.

Encounters with Hitchhikers

• Dick showed reluctance toward hitchhikers, wanting only those who contributed to fuel; Perry had a more empathetic view.

Agent Dewey's Concerns Post-Arrest

• Dewey worried about insufficient evidence for a conviction and the risk of case details leaking prematurely.

Dick's Las Vegas Impersonation Plan

• Dick planned to impersonate a warden to evade detection but was thwarted by police awareness of the stolen vehicle.

Investigator Impressions of Dick

• Initial expectations of Dick as larger were proven wrong; he appeared small and boyish, initially polite during interrogation.

Dick's Reaction to the Clutter Family

• Dick became visibly anxious discussing the Clutter family, revealing nerves that peaked during police questioning.

Perry's Interrogation Behavior

• Despite verbal denials, Perry exhibited nervousness; he believed Dick confessed due to police claims of signed statements.

Clutter House Encounter

• The Clutters' lives were nearly spared by the activity next door, but Dick's camaraderie with Perry motivated him to proceed.

Agent Dewey's Mixed Emotions

• Dewey felt sorrow upon hearing Perry's account of the murders, grappling with sympathy despite the horror of the act.

Discrepancies in Accounts

• The main inconsistency in their stories was the assignment of blame for the killings; belief favors Perry for his more sympathetic and nuanced depiction of events.

Test your knowledge on Part III of 'In Cold Blood' with these flashcards. Focus on key characters like Floyd Wells and significant plot details involving the Clutter family. This quiz will enhance your understanding of Truman Capote's narrative techniques and character development.