Perry as a Female

Perry throughout the book is described as a child-like girl, sensitive and innocent, however, at first it looks to be Capote making look nicer there are also parts that Capote can’t change that still imply his feminine side to be prominent. One of the earlier encounters with Perry we see him as feminine when they are caught and put into jail cells, “Far as I know, Perry Smith was the first man ever stayed in the ladies’ cell” (252). Perry is put into the women’s cell which is in the Undersheriff’s house, which in turn makes him appear less dangerous. Perry is emotionally a girl, but also physically has concerns of the average women. Even stuck in a cell he does things a girl might, “But he found things to do: file his fingernails with an emery board…and comb his lotion-soaked and scented hair” (254). The fingernails and the hair are both a glimpse into his womanly side. Filing his nails is feminine, and although everyone uses shampoo, his use of lotions in his hair appears also to be feminine. Perry is womanly and Capote doesn’t just include those parts for himself.