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After looking over the powerpointish sort of presentation the psychopathic and sociopathic symptoms displayed by Perry and dick are very similar to the type of behavior we see in protagonists in other novels, such as Darl and Victor who both share qualities such as appearing to be normal, and being charming.

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"

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.

"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.

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.

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.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"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.

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

Talks about the distinct difference between mental illness and insanity, and it is clear that Perry does display some of the signs of mental illness, and had those problems been addressed at a young age maybe the Clutter family would still be walking this earth today. Fitting the nature vs nurture theme it seems to be because of this neglect that perry receives at a young age his what seemed to be small defects or twitches per-say were likely overlooked but his adventurous father.

Gives an overview of Capotes life which we learn nearly nothing about, his relationship with perry which is obviously sympathetic is somewhat odd, and after reading of his early nice, seeing the movement of his family and the divorce of his parents it makes you wonder if that sympathy stems from a connection he sees between himself and perry.

"In addition, parents who psychologically abuse their children are often narcissistic (self-absorbed) and feel that raising children gets in the way of their own lives and the things they would rather be doing."

"Families in which psychological maltreatment occurs are usually dysfunctional in some way and lack good communication skills. "

This article further examines the effect of parental neglect on children and the potential causes of parental neglect. One leading cause of parental neglect is the resentment a parent feels due to the restrictions having a child places on their life. Another cause is the self-absorbedness of the parent. These two causes are seen with Perry's mother and father. Perry's father neglects Perry's needs as a child when he drags Perry from town to town on his own whim.

"Irony is, in fact, one of Capote's major techniques, and he achieves it by juxtaposing the circumstances of the killers to those of the Clutter family."

"Capote introduces the idea of fate and predestination and the ways in which society produces killers and unleashes them on the innocent."

This article discusses the main themes of In Cold Blood and general information about the novel. Background information is evident in the article including the relationship Capote had with Dick and Perry. The theme of irony is evident throughout the whole novel such as a robbery with no money. This article supports an essay including the major themes of In Cold Blood.

This site gives a comprehensive background of several criminology theories. These include sociological, physical and psychological factors that influence individuals to turn to crime. Both Dick and Perry show signs of the presence of these theories. Perry's home life fits into the social control theory, as does Dick's ability to purposely weaken any social bond he may have created