APEngLangper711-12

discusses the perception of freedom in the novel

explores the themes of death in the clutter family and the deaths of the murderers, comparing and contrasting

It seems like an almost ridiculous statement to make, but in all actuality it makes a lot of sense. The age has become more of a me first society where parenting to many people has become the second greatest concern other than their own personal gains. This is seen with Anse and his selfish motives that are responsible for how the family functions at its very core.

"The crime confronted the townsfolk of Holcomb with their own isolation. Neighborliness evaporated. The natural order seemed suspended. Chaos poised to rush in. They distrusted and came to suspect not terrible strangers, but themselves"

This source provides good examples and statements of the Gothic theme of isolation in the novel.

"Dick and Perry do not fit into the exemplary American image that Holcomb and its citizenry desire. Both men exhibit symptoms of mental illness. They have criminal backgrounds. Perry has a history of abuse. Their antisocial behavior places them in sharp contrast to the American ideals of Holcomb and the Clutter family"

Although this source mainly outlines the theme of justice in In Cold Blood, it also provides a good overview of how Perry and Dick were seen as outcasts.

"Nina had never been close to Truman, chiefly because she was embarrassed by his effeminate ways. She terminated two pregnancies she conceived by Joe, saying, 'I will not have another child like Truman and if I do have another child, it will be like Truman.'"

This source provides an overview of Capote's life. It provides a little explanation to why Capote connected so well with Perry, as they both had very neglected childhoods.

"Through flashbacks we learn that both Dick and Perry have been physically deformed in accidents. Dick was in a car accident in 1950. "It was as though his head had been halved like an apple, then put together a fraction off center … the left eye being truly serpentine, with a venomous, sickly-blue squint …" (Capote 43). Perry's injuries, acquired in a motorcycle accident in 1952, are more serious: "… his chunky, dwarfish legs, broken in five places and pitifully scarred, still pained him so severely that he had become an aspirin addict" (Capote 43)"

This source gives a thorough overview of the nonfiction novel. This part specifically focuses on the fact that both Perry and Dick sustained injuries through accidents. This makes them both seem more monster like.

"Capote's recounting of Smith's childhood and family life begs the question whether Smith's crimes stem from inherent criminal tendencies, or whether he is pushed onto that path through circumstances beyond his control"

This source outlines the nature vs. nurture debate in the form of Perry and his actions. It cites examples proving Perry may have preformed the crimes out of mistreatment as a child.

"Accusation, recrimination, pity, regret, fear, and just plain hatred soil those perspectives as the Smiths relentlessly repeat the pain they have shared and continue to share"

This source shows the relationship between Perry and his family. It highlights the tensions and issues that can be used to prove that Perry's upbringing may have caused him to commit the crimes.

Again discusses the minds of Dick Hickock and Perry Smith. Hickock was raised in a normal fashion, leading many to determine that he was born to kill. Perry, on the other hand, had a horrific childhood. His mental disease may have been brought on by his disturbing upbringing, or it may have been worsened by it.

Discusses similarities within Frankenstein and In cold Blood. One major theme in the two books is how isolation affects the human mind and the detrimental effects a neglected child can have once he or she enters society.

"More than 750,000 children each year in America are abused or neglected, one every 42 seconds."

This article, published by the Children's Defense Fund, describes child abuse and neglect in America and the effects it has. The child welfare system does everything it can in helping neglected children, but it is common for them to turn to crime and end up in prison as adults.

Just as the car JFK was riding in when he was assassinated is a popular display in a Michigan museum, the tombstones of Dick Hickock and Perry Smith are "treasures" that the public enjoys viewing. The tombstones, which were paid for by Truman Capote, were stolen in 1980 from the graveyard in which the two were buried. They were recovered twenty years later, and now the State of Kansas owns them and plans to put them on display. A Topeka museum is now preparing a crime and punishment exhibit in which the stones and the gallows used on Dick and Perry will be featured.

While In Cold Blood is a widely praised nonfiction novel and is read by students across America, it is also highly controversial. Some parents and teachers disagree with letting students read the gory details of the Clutter murders. High school-aged students should have the right to read the piece.

Gives an overview of Capote's life and the struggles he had to face growing up as a child. His life seems to end up a fairytale with him becoming a literary and social icon.

Describes Capote's childhood, which interestingly parallels the upbringings of the Monster and Perry. Abandoned by his mother, Capote was often isolated as a young child. However he turned his attention to writing and playing piano rather than getting revenge. Capote became an instant celebrity in his early 20s and his life was a success, unlike the lives of Perry and the Monster

"Schizophrenia is a severe, lifelong brain disorder. People who have it may hear voices, see things that aren't there or believe that others are reading or controlling their minds."

This article describes schizophrenia, the debilitating disease that Perry has. Perry's inability to think clearly about the effects of his actions and his lack of a conscience proves that he has severe mental imbalances.

Talks more so about the movie but gives interesting insights into what Capote thought of the movie which helps provide a more detailed understanding of his mind and how he views things, such as his relationships with dick and perry.

Talks about the reasons behind Capotes desires to write about a murder case, actual information from an interview where he tells all... essentially. He makes it somewhat obvious that a large factor in his writing of the murder was that he was try to start and did somewhat a new wave of writing, "new journalism"