The End

Dewey had imagined that with the deaths of Smith and Hickock, he would experience a sense of climax, release, or a design justly completed. Instead, he discovered himself recalling an incident of almost a year ago, a casual encounter in Valley View Cemetery, which, in retrospect, had somehow for him more or less ended the Clutter case. (Capote 341)

Death doesn't bring anything for the living; It can only take away. Agent Dewey learns this at the end of the story. Though the death of the two murderers is supposed to bring justice, it does not. What the participants really needed was closure.

For Dewey it "more or less ended the Clutter case," to Bobby (Nancy's boyfriend) it was marrying a girl who understood his pain. Dewey sees that the effected parties have not forgoten but simply lived through the event.

This is the main moral to the retelling of the true events. Death affects us all, but how we deal with it is the real story. This story is not about death, but rather, the living. Every person in the story had a different perspective and something to add. Seeing and feeling each person made the real story come together. Whether it be the lives of the Clutters, two murders, or the Agent who fought to find the truth.

Whats Wrong

'Know what I think?' said Perry. 'I think there must be something wrong with us. To do what we did.'

'Did what?'

'Out there' (Capote 108)

This is the smallest inclination of a conscience we have seen so far out of these men. What they did would usually eat away at their thoughts. I feel this is the beginning of the end of their master plan.

Perry is the first to question "what [they] did... out there". Could this foreshadow something in the future or of their capture? This passage stood out to me as some sort of turning point for the happy couple. If they question what they did, feelings of guilt will follow. Is that what Perry is feeling? Guilt? Later on Dick brushes off Perry's concerns as unimportant. Will those concerns eventually surface in Dick's mind?

I believe Dick had it wrong. Instead of Perry being the conscienceless killer, he is. How could there not be "something wrong with [them]?" To do such a random cruel act and feel nothing is surely the sign of a brain defect. So who is really the 'cold blooded killer'?

Perry seems to be the more emotional of the two. He has a sketchy background of abuse and hardships. Dick does not understand these issues, nor does he try to. The lack of basic knowledge about the other, hinders their relationship on many levels. Now that doubts are creeping in, the pieces will fall apart.

Aftermath

He said, 'Anything the matter?'

'Not a thing,' she assured him, 'Only, when you come home tonight, you'll have to ring the bell. I've had all the locks changed.'

Now he understood, and said, 'Don't worry, honey. Just lock the doors and turn on the porch light.'

After he'd hung up, a colleague asked, 'What's wrong? Marie scared?'

'Hell, yes,' Dewey said. 'Her, and everybody else.' (Capote 86)


Human nature is a funny thing. Most adults are aware of the dangers that live in the world. The truth is most of the time we don't think about them. When something so publicly tragic happens, we are reminded how easily it could have been your family.

Dewey is a lawman who is well aware of the evil in the world; His family is equally attentive. In this case "her and everybody else" is afraid of the motiveless family killer. Dewey's wife, Marie, should be used to this type of brutality. Does anyone really become numb to death? Apparently not.

There is only so much you can do to protect yourself from random attacks. Some feel better by "[having] all the locks changed" or remembering to "turn on the porch light." These safety nets can only protect so much. Dewey knows all this, but reassures his wife anyways. Such fears usually only bring more panic.

The main use of this conversation is to show how the death of the Clutters not only affected their small community but surpassed it. Families everywhere are kept up at night by anxiety. Will any peace be brought if the murders are brought to justice?

Leaving

Perry, glad to be out of Kansas, at last relaxed. Now it was true--they were on their way-- On their way, and never coming back--without regret, as far as he was concerned, for he was leaving nothing behind, and no one who might deeply wonder into what thin air he'd spiraled. The same could not be said of Dick. There were those Dick claimed to love: three sons, a mother, a father, a brother--persons he hadn't dared confide his plans to, or bid goodbye, though he never expected to see them again--not in this life. (Capote 106)

Perry and Dick have distinctly different views of leaving after completing their plans. Their lives are completely different in general.

Dick has family "three sons, a mother, a father, a brother" to leave behind. These things are important to him. Part of him wishes he could "confide his plans" to these people or at least "bid goodbye." When he leaves, he will miss these people. Plus, he doesn't have some deeper need to leave behind his life other than to run away. This is very important because he will never be happy in his new life.

Perry on the other hand is living out his dreams. He always planned on going to Mexico or some other exotic place. He is "glad to be out of Kansas" and leave behind what they did. "He was leaving nothing behind" in the first place. He is happy to be "on their way" to his new life.

If one isn't happy, this 'new life' will fall apart and ultimately their getaway will fail.

Dreams

'Even if we didn't find all of it, even if we found only some of it--Are you with me, Dick?' Heretofore, Dick had always encouraged him, listened attentively to his talk of maps, tales of treasure, but now--and it had not occurred to him before--he wondered if all along Dick had only been pretending, just kidding him. The thought acutely painful, passed, for Dick, with a wink and a playful jab, said, 'Sure, honey. I'm with you. All the way.' (Capote 100)

Both dreams (Perry's and Dick's) rely on trickery. Perry suspects briefly this, but dismisses it. Is his faith in Dick's loyalty so deep?

Perry has childish dreams of "maps, tales of treasure" that are opposite of Dick (as we have read before). It has never "occurred to him before" that Dick may be "pretending, just kidding him". This falsely found trust foreshadows great problems. If Dick reveals his true intentions, what will Perry do? For now he can survive on "a wink and a playful jab" but that can last for only so long. Any disloyalty from Dick is "acutely painful" to Perry.

These men have different dreams. Different dreams lead to different paths that cannot be accomplished without the others cooperation. Eventually the truth will be uncovered and everything that could go wrong, will. Once they embarked on the brutal murder of the Clutters, they became eternally connected. I believe this connection will result in a bloody ending for both of these liars.

The Clutters

'Feeling wouldn't run half so high if this had happened to anyone except the Clutters. Anyone less admired. Prosperous. Secure. But that family represented everything people hereabouts really value and respect, and that such a thing could happen to them--well, it's like being told there is no God. It makes life seem pointless. I don't think people are so much frightened as they are deeply depressed' (Capote 88)

The Clutter's influence on the community is so extensive that their loss damages it beyond repair. The Clutter's represent everything you want in small town USA. They are the 'perfect' family in a sense. They were the glue to the community by being so active in it.

Their sudden and tragic death left citizens feeling that "life [seemed] pointless." All of their friends "are deeply depressed" for good reason. The Clutter family "represented everything people [there] really value and respect" and all of that was lost with their death. Such a loss in a community can ruin life for a long period of time.

The mourning of the Clutters is a public matter, for they were public people. This simple fact is what made their deaths so notable. It also made every person with a connection to them feel unsure. The safety they always felt with the Clutters was just as brutally murdered. If something like this could happen to such a loved family, it surely could happen to anyone. The people of Holcomb are not just scared. The loss of a dear friend is a heartache to anybody. Since the Clutters were friends to almost everyone in town, everybody shares the general loss felt.

Dick

But Dick became convinced that Perry was that rarity, 'a natural killer'--absolutely sane, but conscienceless, and capable of dealing, with or without motive, the coldest-blooded deathblows. It was Dick's theory that such a gift could, under his supervision, be profitably exploited. Having reached this conclusion, he had proceeded to woo Perry, flatter him--pretend, for example that he believed all the buried treasure stuff and shared his beachcomber yearnings and seaport longing, none of which appealed to Dick, who wanted 'a regular life,' with a business of his own, a house, a horse to ride, a new car, and plenty of blond chicken.' It was important, however, that Perry not suspect this... (Capote 55)

After realizing Dick's point of view, it is very apparent how much the 'team' uses the opposites dreams. Perry believes in "all the buried treasure stuff...none of which appealed to Dick." Dick wants "a regular life", the complete opposite of Perry who has a "seaport longing". The last sentence really says it all. Dick is obviously using Perry and cannot let him "suspect this".

Perry is so convinced of Dick's loyalty. Dick can expertly "woo Perry, flatter him--pretend". All of these manipulators will eventually put a strain on the friendship. Dick plans to "profitably [exploit]" Perry for his "conscienceless." If Perry isn't this "natural killer", the base of their friendship will fall apart. Each friend needs something. If this need isn't filled, all plans will fall apart. This paragraph shows how their friendship hinges on such a thin thread. What if Dick is wrong about Perry?

Dick's plan for "the coldest-blooded deathblows" is the first concrete passage mentioning murder. It has been hinted at, but not said. Now that we know they are the killers, anticipation is building. I am set on their false friendship being the end of them.