Perry

As In Cold Blood progresses, the reader learns the story of Perry’s life and surmises possible reasons for his nasty actions. Perry, similar to the author, Capote, had a rough childhood. Abandoned and neglected, Perry was beaten and abused as a child. Raised by an alcoholic mother, Perry and his siblings are given little chance for a normal upbringing. Perry’s unusual ways result from his childhood. In the scene when the two travelers (Perry and Dick) catch a ride on their way back from Mexico, Perry demonstrates reckless behavior. Dick has devised a plan to kill the driver giving them a lift and then steal the money and sell the car. While on their way, Perry becomes irritated with the driver and suddenly has an urge to kill him at that moment: “He thought he might vomit, or faint; he felt certain he would if Dick delayed “the party” much longer. The light was dimming, the road was straight, with neither house nor human being in view-nothing but land winter-stripped and as somber as sheet iron. Now was the time, now.” While Capote often describes Perry using artistic and childish descriptions, he also suggests that the murderer has the ability to be dangerous and malicious. Perry’s spontaneous desire to kill others is a result of his childhood situation. A lack of structure and an inability to trust others during Perry’s childhood creates this impulsive behavior, which ultimately leads to his final demise.