In Cold Blood Study Guide Part 1

Questions and Answers

Describe the village of Holcomb.

The village of Holcomb is a small yet prosperous farming settlement in western Texas.

During which year and what time of year does the novel take place?

The novel takes place in the year 1959 in mid-November.

Identify Mrs. Clutter's health problem. How does her ailing health affect the other members of the Clutter family?

Mrs. Clutter's health problem is that there is a misplaced vertebra in her spine, causing mental depression and isolation.

Herb Clutter had an inflexible attitude toward what habit? Why?

Herb Clutter had an inflexible attitude toward smoking, drinking, and coffee because he opposed all stimulants. Signup and view all the answers

How was Herb Clutter viewed by other members of the Holcomb community?

Herb Clutter was viewed as a reserved community leader and a gentleman. Signup and view all the answers

How did Herb Clutter feel about Bobby Rupp, Nancy's boyfriend?

Mr. Clutter felt uneasy about Bobby Rupp because he caught him and Nancy kissing, and didn't approve of him being Roman Catholic. Signup and view all the answers

Outline the details of 'the score' as it is conceived by Dick and Perry.

Dick and Perry planned to hit Mexico first to live in luxury, travel, and get rid of all witnesses. Signup and view all the answers

How was Nancy Clutter viewed by other members of the Holcomb community?

Nancy was described as 'the town sweetheart', responsible, poised, and kindhearted. Signup and view all the answers

Why didn't Dick's parents approve of his association with Perry? What was the lie Dick told to his parents?

Dick's parents didn't approve because they didn't want him befriending inmates. He lied about visiting Perry's sister holding $1500 for Perry. Signup and view all the answers

Describe Kenyon Clutter.

Kenyon Clutter was an awkward teenage boy focused on cars and inventing, standing six feet tall with a hemp-colored crew cut. Signup and view all the answers

Create a compare-and-contrast chart with Dick and Perry.

Dick = Tall, cowardly, married, employed, literal-minded Perry = Never been married, wanderlust, artistic, hopeful, feminine Both = Attentive to hygiene, had tattoos, criminal records, Kansas residents Signup and view all the answers

Who was Willie-Jay and why did he take to Perry?

Willie-Jay was an assistant to the chaplain in prison who became a mentor to Perry. Signup and view all the answers

Name one of the habits Herb Clutter was known for. How is this pertinent to the crime?

One of Mr. Clutter's bad habits was retiring by eleven o'clock. His being up the evening of the robbery may have contributed to the family's murder. Signup and view all the answers

Herb and Bob Johnson make a business deal on the very same day that Herb is killed. How does this deal provide a potential motive for the murder of the Clutters?

Herb Clutter took out a life insurance policy that would pay double indemnity if his death was accidental. Signup and view all the answers

What was the last stop made by the two travelers before they visited the Clutter household? What was the bad omen Perry perceived while they were there?

The last stop was Phillips 66 in Garden City, where Perry perceived a bad omen as sudden pain in his legs. Signup and view all the answers

What was it that ultimately convinced Dick that Perry would make a good partner for his plan?

Dick was convinced that Perry would be good for the plan because he was a 'natural killer'. Signup and view all the answers

What was the last thing Nancy Clutter was known to have done before going to sleep?

The last things Nancy Clutter did were saying her prayers and writing in her diary. Signup and view all the answers

Who are the first people to find the Clutters? What was one of the first clues they spotted once inside the Clutter household?

The first people to find the Clutters were Nancy's friends, Nancy Ewalt and Susan Kidwell. They noticed the side door leading to Mr. Clutter's office ajar. Signup and view all the answers

Provide one reason that the sheriff ruled out robbery.

One reason the sheriff ruled out robbery was that the Clutters didn't have a safe. Signup and view all the answers

Does Mrs. Clare's attitude toward the news of the murders surprise you? Why or why not?

No, her reaction doesn't surprise me as Mrs. Clare is the postmistress and has likely 'seen it all and heard it all'. Signup and view all the answers

What is Mr. Johnson talking about when he says legally obliged and morally obliged? What does he decide to do?

Mr. Johnson is talking about the life insurance policy taken out by Mr. Clutter. The company decided to pay despite potential legal loopholes. Signup and view all the answers

How does Bobby find out about Nancy's murder? What is his reaction to the news?

Bobby finds out through Mr. Wealth, and he is initially unable to comprehend it and is devastated. Signup and view all the answers

Where do Perry and Dick go after the murders? What do Perry and Dick do after the murders?

After the murders, Perry and Dick go to Mexico, where Dick writes phony checks to get cash and buy merchandise. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Village of Holcomb

Holcomb is a small, prosperous farming village located on the high wheat plains of western Texas.
The area is considered remote, with other Kansans referring to it as being "out there."

Setting and Timeframe

The narrative unfolds in 1959 during mid-November.

Mrs. Clutter's Health

Mrs. Clutter suffers from a misplaced vertebra, leading to mental depression and a sense of isolation within the family.

Herb Clutter's Attitude

Herb Clutter strictly opposes smoking, drinking, and coffee, considering stimulants unacceptable.

Community Perception of Herb Clutter

Regarded as a reserved leader and a gentle man, Herb Clutter is also seen as a fair employer by the Holcomb community.

Herb's View on Bobby Rupp

Initially perceiving Bobby Rupp as gentlemanly, Herb becomes uneasy after seeing him kiss Nancy, compounded by his disapproval of Rupp's Roman Catholic background.

Dick and Perry's Plan

Dick and Perry scheme to escape to Mexico for a luxurious lifestyle, intent on eliminating witnesses to avoid capture.

Nancy Clutter's Reputation

Nancy Clutter is cherished as "the town sweetheart," recognized for her responsibility, poise, and kindness.

Dick's Deception to Parents

Dick’s parents disapprove of his friendship with Perry due to his past. He fabricates a story about visiting Perry's sister in Fort Scott to obtain a sum of money.

Kenyon Clutter's Description

Kenyon is characterized as an awkward teenager focused on interests like cars and inventions rather than relationships. He has a hemp-colored crew cut and wears glasses.

Comparison of Dick and Perry

Dick: Tall, cowardly, married, employed, literal-minded.
Perry: Unmarried, artistic, hopeful, exhibits wanderlust, feminine traits.
Both share attention to hygiene, tattoos, criminal backgrounds, and residency in Kansas.

Willie-Jay's Influence on Perry

Willie-Jay, a prison chaplain's assistant, mentored Perry, recognizing his talent. His absence led Perry to accept 'the score' for financial gain.

Herb Clutter's Routine

Herb was known for retiring by eleven o'clock, but being awake during the robbery may have contributed to the family’s murder.

Business Deal Implications

On the same day as his murder, Herb took out a double indemnity life insurance policy, potentially motivating the crime.

Perry's Bad Omen

Before arriving at the Clutter household, Perry and Dick stopped at Phillips 66, where Perry experienced sudden leg pain, which he perceived as a bad omen.

Dick's Assessment of Perry

Dick considers Perry a suitable partner for the crime due to his propensity for violence, referring to him as a "natural killer."

Nancy's Last Actions

Before bedtime, Nancy Clutter prayed and wrote in her diary, marking her last known activities.

Discovery of the Clutter Family

Nancy's friends, Nancy Ewalt and Susan Kidwell, are first to discover the Clutters, noting that Mr. Clutter's office door was ajar as a key clue.

Sheriff’s Conclusion on Robbery

The sheriff dismissed robbery as a motive because the Clutters did not own a safe.

Mrs. Clare's Reaction

Mrs. Clare, the postmistress, appears unsurprised by the murder news, likely due to her exposure to various disturbing events in her role.

Mr. Johnson's Decision

Mr. Johnson contemplates the implications of Herb Clutter's life insurance policy and ultimately decides to approve payment despite legal loopholes.

Bobby Rupp's Discovery

Bobby learns of Nancy's murder from Mr. Wealth, struggling to process the devastation of the news.

Aftermath of the Murders

Following the murders, Dick and Perry flee to Mexico, where they engage in fraudulent activities like writing fake checks and reselling merchandise.

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Description

This quiz covers key details from Part 1 of Truman Capote's 'In Cold Blood'. It includes important aspects such as the setting of the village of Holcomb and the timeline of events in the novel. Test your knowledge on these foundational elements and deepen your understanding of the text.