Themes: Nature versus Nurture

Capote incorporates extensive writings from Smith's sister, father, court-appointed psychiatrist, and friend Willie Jay, which detail Smith's upbringing, motorcycle accident, biases, and mental condition. These accounts collectively paint a picture of Smith as an inherently intelligent, talented, and sensitive individual, who has been distorted and damaged by neglect, abuse, humiliation, and unresolved emotional trauma. Smith's mother was an...

Themes: Retribution

The residents of Holcomb, Kansas, cannot find peace until the murderers are brought to justice. A local resident questions Agent Dewey, asking, "Why don't you arrest somebody?’’ and adding, "That's what you get paid for.'' The widespread mistrust and insecurity that grip the town can only be eased by the assurance that the culprits have been caught and punished. At the same time, the fact that the murderers are outsiders sparks hope that they are...

Themes: Sexuality

The theme of sexuality is subtly woven throughout the story. Hickock struggles with monogamy, resulting in two marriages and two divorces. While in Mexico, he becomes engaged twice and even has an intimate encounter with one fiancée while Smith is present. Hickock's hidden sexual deviance involves an attraction to young, sometimes prepubescent, girls. Smith has to stop Hickock from assaulting Nancy Clutter in her home, and later reveals his...

Themes: Fate

After listening to Hickock and Smith's apathetic confessions, Dewey concludes that the murders were "a psychological accident." Smith appears to have been led by a series of unfortunate events, not entirely of his own making, both before and after the murders. Capote meticulously details the seemingly minor twists of fate that, in his view, brought Smith to the Clutter home. As a child, Smith contracted pneumonia, which resulted in a reunion...

Themes: America as a Vast Landscape

The overarching theme of In Cold Blood, if it can be deemed a theme, is the essence of America itself. The America depicted in Capote's work is an expansive terrain of deserts, beaches, and plains, dotted with laundromats and diners. One cannot help but be struck by the sheer vastness, the number of miles covered, and the multitude of miles yet to be explored. Dick Hickock and Perry Smith journey over eight hundred miles in a single day to carry...

Themes: The Myth of the American Dream

The novel explores the myth of America and how it can be toxic, especially in modern society. Perry Smith embodies the American dreamer. He studies the dictionary to enhance his vocabulary and has a fondness for difficult, obscure words. He strongly believes in self-improvement, a notably American fixation. Perry dreams of hunting for diamonds and buried treasure, prompting the killers to head to Mexico. As Perry begins to understand that his...

Themes: The Archetype of Small Town America

Against this expansive setting, Capote intricately describes the village of Holcomb, Kansas, located in Garden County. It is a place of scenic rural charm where everyone is familiar with each other and their affairs. The community gathers in a local cafe to socialize and exchange news. The village features an eccentric postmistress and an old mansion, transformed into apartments and known as the Teacher-age, housing most of the school staff. The...

Themes: The Clutter Family as the Embodiment of the American Dream

In Holcomb, the Clutter family resided: Herb, his wife Bonnie, their son Kenyon, and daughter Nancy. Herb's two older daughters had already left home. Eveanna was married with a child, while Beverly was pursuing nursing and engaged to be married. At home were the father, mother, daughter, and son—a quintessential family unit. They also had a dog, and Nancy owned a horse. Herb was a successful cattle rancher, and the family was actively involved...

Themes: The Confrontation of Dreams

Capote envisioned a quintessential family living in an idyllic village, set against the backdrop of a mythical American landscape. The Clutter case provided him with a ready-made portrayal of America, akin to the polished image of television ads and sentimental movie scenes. It was an image so steeped in cliché and stereotype that Capote might not have dared to invent it himself.

Into this American dream entered Perry Smith and Dick Hickock; one...