Discussion Topic

The protagonist in In Cold Blood

Summary:

The protagonists in In Cold Blood are Perry Smith and Dick Hickock, the two criminals whose brutal murder of the Clutter family is the central focus of the narrative. The book delves deeply into their backgrounds, motivations, and psychological states, providing a detailed portrait of their characters and the events leading up to and following the crime.

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Is there a protagonist in In Cold Blood?

Although it may seem strange to call Perry Smith a protagonist, he fits this description in In Cold Blood. Sure, Perry is a ruthless murderer, and he certainly is not a hero. Yet, he remains the main focus of this book. Truman Capote spends more time exploring Perry's background, personality, deeds, and thoughts than any other character. It is Perry who drives much of the action in this story. In this way, Perry fits the definition of a protagonist.

In fact, by choosing to center much of this story on Perry Smith, Capote leads readers to sympathize with him. We learn about his troubled childhood and failed aspirations. We can't help but think that, if circumstances had been different, Perry might have led a much different life. Despite the terrible things Perry does, the reader can't help but feel some compassion for him.

This does not mean that...

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the reader is supposed to support Perry. If anything, Capote has the reader rooting for Perry's adversaries, particularly Detective Alvin Dewey. However, by focusing the story on a murderous criminal rather than the honest lawman, Capote is proving that the protagonist does not necessarily need to be the good guy.

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