In
, Capote portrays Dick Hickock as a cold-blooded mastermind of the killings
of the Clutter family, while Perry Smith is the vulnerable sidekick who goes along with Dick.
While Dick has a solid family and is motivated, in Capote's account, by sociopathy, Perry is a
more sympathetic character, who goes along with Dick to find acceptance.
For
example, Capote writes the following about Dick:
"Dick became convinced that Perry was that rarity, 'a natural killer'absolutely
sane, but conscienceless, and capable of dealing, with or without motive, the coldest-blooded
deathblows. It was Dicks theory that such a gift could, under his supervision, be profitably
exploited."
In other words, Dick tries to manipulate
and exploit Perry into carrying out the murders. Dick falsely believes that Perry killed a black
man, but this is only a lie Perry tells Dick to gain Dick's admiration. Dick is portrayed as a
coldblooded manipulator and Perry as his victim.
Perry is also portrayed
as...
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