In Cold Blood Study Guide Part 1

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.