Perry, A Negative Effect on Dick

As a contradictory view on Perry and Dick’s partnership, Dick’s parents see Perry as a bad influence. Capote includes a part that puts Perry as the bad guy and Dick as the good one, Perry is seen as the evil for one of the first times. Even though Dick leaves his parents without a good-bye they still feel that he is a good kid. Mr. Hitchcock says, “That boy has plenty of good inside him. If ever you seen him on a football field; if ever you seen him play with his children, you wouldn’t doubt me” (167). Besides stating the fact that he is good the quote shows Dick as kid and as a caring adult. Perry is usually seen as the kid however, Dick playing football is something he did when he was young. Moreover, Dick appears to love his children but this is not the case because previously he says when talking about his children and family “…they didn’t ‘make him happy or do him any good’” (98). The parents might be confused but also seem to know Perry and blame Dick’s wrongdoing on Perry. Mrs. Hitchcock charges Perry by saying, “‘that friend of his. That’s what happened’” (167). Perry is now verbally illustrated as persuading Dick to commit the crime even though the entire plan was Dick’s and he just manipulated Perry into helping. There may be an opposition with Capote and the Hitchcock’s but Capote seems to be switching the roles of the characters in his confrontation with the Hitchcock’s.