Thematic Analysis
The Loss of Innocence: The residents of Holcomb, before the killings, lived in a calm and safe environment. There was not much action going on in the small town and there was trust. But after the Clutter family was found brutally murdered, the residents had a growing fear of each other and acted like they could not adjust to the absurd situation that went on. The people felt scared and the children were confused. “This hitherto peaceful congregation of neighbors and old friends had suddenly to endure the unique experience of distrusting each other; understandably, they believed that the murderer was among themselves.” (88) The people of Holcomb lost their once innocent and pure community and now were in doubt of each other. This was the first time they thought that the killers were someone from their own community.
Family:
Family is extremely important to the residents of Holcomb. The Clutter family upheld their status as the ideal family of the American Dream. They were well-liked and wealthy. However, the "one serious cause for disquiet" (7) for the Clutters' was Bonnie Clutter's health. They try to hide her misery as being "nervous" due to wanting to portray themselves as having the perfect family. Looking at the murderers' families, Dick's family portrays a nice, well-brought group whom clearly care much about each other. Although not as wealthy as the Clutters', they are a close-nit bunch. However, as well-brought Dick's raising had been, he apparently strayed in the wrong direction into a criminal. On the other hand, Perry had a broken family which contrasts largely with the Clutters'. He was extremely poor, and was constantly looking for saving as seen when he keeps on dreaming of successful treasure hunts. Unlike Dick's family who had stuck by Dick even through his arrest, Perry's father and only surviving sibling cuts all ties with him. |
Mental Illness:
The two murderers' mental health are displayed during the trial by physician Dr. Jones. However, there is unfair judging on part of the judge as he deemed both Dick and Perry sane without further listening to Dr. Jones's evaluation of the two. Dick is characterized as having "a severe character disorder" (295) due to "a serious head injury with concussion and several hours of unconsciousness in 1950" (294). As for Perry, he is deemed to show "definite signs of severe mental illness" (296) and is characterized to have "paranoid schizophrenic reaction" (298). Taking into account Dr. Jones's evaluation, the two murderers' actions of killing the Clutters' could be a cause of their mental illness however much the judge deems otherwise. While Dick seems not to display much of his madness, it is quite apparent with Perry that he desperately needs help. Self Image: The killers, Dick and Perry are very self-conscious when it comes to their image. Both care much about how they look towards people and get offended when people judge them. In the book, Perry is said to have been “overly sensitive to criticisms that others make of him, and cannot tolerate being made fun of. He is quick to sense slight or insult in things others say” (297). He wants to be taken seriously, just like Dick. Dick says to Perry ”’ Deal me out, baby, I’m a normal.’ And Dick meant what he said. He thought of himself as balanced, as sane as anyone—maybe a bit smarter than the average fellow, that’s all.” (108). The murderers cared about their self-image and thought they were perfectly normal, which is why they would get so offended when people told them otherwise. The two characters had an issue with their self-image and it was certain that their psychological problems could be understood by understanding their thriving for self-acceptance in which these characters tried so hard in accomplishing a presentable one.
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