In Cold Blood Quotes

the town darling, Nancy

first description of Nancy Clutter

the high wheat plains of Western Kansas

where Holcomb stands

four shotgun blasts that, all told, ended six human lives

how Capote describes the murders’ impact

viewed each other strangely and as strangers

how the murders changed community relations

Naturally, we decided to do the moral thing.

the insurance agent on the decision after the murders

All the neighbours are rattlesnakes.

Myrt Clare on the neighbours

little spells

how the Kansans describe Bonnie’s depression

that rarity, a natural-born killer

Dick’s private opinion of Perry

hating hated half-breed child

Capote’s description of Perry as a child

Dewey was satisfied that “a strong team” had been assembled

the assembling of the KBI team

It seems to be an impulse.

Dick on his pedophilia

The room just exploded.

Perry on firing the gun

Dewey’s ears ring with it - a ringing that almost deafens him to the whispery rush of Smith’s soft voice.

Dewey hears Perry’s confession

as lonely and inappropriate as a seagull in a wheat field

Capote on Perry in the courtroom

Rite is Rite and wrong is wrong

Tex John Smith on what Perry should know

under a mental eclipse

Perry’s psychological state during the murders, according to Dr Satten

the same childish feet, tilted, dangling

Perry’s dead feet

the whisper of wind voices in the wind-bent wheat

the conclusion of the book

I thought he was a very nice gentleman. Soft-spoken. I thought so right up to the moment I slit his throat.

Perry on Mr Clutter

Maybe it’s just that the Clutters were the ones who had to pay for it.

Perry on the Clutters

a bunch of prairiebillys

Perry on the Kansans

they hurried away, leaving the cold square to the two gray cats

on the townspeople leaving the gathering outside the courthouse

Smith recognized his old foe, Dewey

as Perry is brought into the execution chamber

middle-class, middle-income

the development where the Johnsons live

Perry, baby

Dick to Perry

There’s nothing worse. Nothing worse than that. Nothing.

what Marie Dewey’s dream of Bonnie says

tall, yellow bird had hauled him to heaven

Perry dreams being saved

as though sleep were a weapon that struck him from behind

how Dick falls asleep after committing the murders

like Mr Clutter

first pivot to Perry

the black Chevrolet

symbol of approaching death in Section 1

I’m a normal

Dick on himself