In Cold Blood By Truman Capote

1. In Cold BloodBy Truman Capote Created by Taylor Currie, Olga Moran, Melinda Rojas Part 4: The Corner

2. The Beginning January 1960 • Discusses Finney County Courthouse • We are introduced to the characters Wendle and Josephine Meier. We are told that the Meier’s have been together more than 20 years. Mrs. Meier is described as serene and very kind. She thinks of others before herself, it is stated that she “cooks and sews for the prisoners, darns, does their laundry, takes splendid care of her husband…” (pg. 251) so we get the sense that she is a very caring person, and serves others. • The Meiers have an adult daughter who lives in Kansas city, so they live alone. It is revealed to us that Perry stayed in the ladies cell, because they wanted to keep him isolated from Hickock preceding the trial.

3. Continued… • An important quote which could be used in your essay is when Mrs. Meier said “I never met the clutters but from everything I’ve ever heard…they must have been very fine people.” That goes to show that they we well liked, or even popular. This supports the theory that Perry and Dick possibly murdered them out of jealousy. Earlier in the book this jealousy is made obvious in a letter written by Willie Jay to Perry; it said “Why this unreasonable anger at the sight of others who are happy or content…their happiness is the source of your frustration and resentment.” So even back then, someone else could see Perry was unhappy and bitter. • The chapter goes on the portray the way in which Mrs.Meier had a softened view of Perry, she made him food, they discussed a movie, the weather, and she went and told her husband Wendle how “gentle” he was, it seems as Perry has realized he has ruined his life, he is becoming remorseful, has no purpose to live, and is withdrawn.

4. …. • Perry lonely, for companionship, lured a squirrel through the bars of the cell and named him red. (pg254). Seeing the way Perry has changed, it seems as if he was never a killer at all, he was just compelled by Dick. He doesn’t possess the normal attributes of a killer, he seems to have just made a “mistake” and regrets it. Killers usually possess certain characteristics, “murders get older into folks that eliminate other humans like a way to obtain happiness. The real reason for this is simply not absolutely understood, but is regarded as attributable to neurological injury and mental disorders that reduce response to psychological stimulus” (huntercoffin.com).

6. Pages 313-343 • Thanksgiving week Jennie Marie and Lowell Lee were home with their parents. • Lee had finished reading and shaved, suited and loaded a semi-automatic 22 caliber rifle and a Ruger 22 caliber revolver. Placed the the revolver in the holster and put the rifle on his shoulder. • He went to his sister and shot her in between the eyes with the Rifle. She was died. He then shot his mother three times and his father two times. • His mother was trying to talk to him but he told her to “shut up” (313) and shot her thrice more. • Mr. Andrews was crawling his way to the kitchen when Lee took out his revolver and released every chamber on his father twice. Mr. Andrews took 17 shots.

7. Lowell was destroying everything tomake everything seem like someone else committed the crime. • He threw the weapons and ammunition into the Kansas River. • Created an alibi saying “because of the bad weather the trip from Wolcott to Lawrence had taken two hours.”(313) • Once Lee arrived home he called the police and sat on the porch awaiting the police. • When the police arrived Lee pointed to the door. The police listened to his story but because he was emotionless as if nothing happened. • The Andrews family minister was called to talk to Lowell.

8. The minister went to the question Lowell, he was making conversation and the asked him if it was him who killed his family. • He told him if he would take a lie detection test to prove him not guilty. • Lee confesses murdering his family. • Lowell is said to have simple schizophrenia making lee have to go to a hospital for the Criminally Insane. But the reverends speech gave him the death penalty.

10. Questions? • Do you Classify Dick and Perry as one time killers or serial psychopath murders?Explain. • Would you forgive Dick and Perry for what they did if they beg you? Why. • Do you think that hanging Dick and Perry was a good punishment?