Notes on The Last To See Them Alive, Part 2 (58-74)

Summary of Key Events

• Arrival at River Valley Farm:

  • Nancy Ewalt visits to accompany the Clutter family to church.
  • After failing to get a response from the Clutters, they consult Susan Kidwell.

• Discovery of the Murders:

  • Returning to the farm, Nancy and Susan find Nancy Clutter dead from a shotgun wound to the head.
  • The investigation by law enforcement reveals:
  • Bonnie Clutter also dead in her bedroom from a similar gunshot.
  • Mr. Clutter and Kenyon are found bound in the basement:
    • Kenyon shot in the face.
    • Mr. Clutter has his throat slit.

• Community Reaction:

  • The brutal murders shock the small town, leading to rampant speculation about motives and suspects.
  • Nancy’s friends, Sue Kidwell and Bobby Rupp, seek comfort in each other.
  • Extended family members come to Holcomb in mourning.

• The Killers:

  • Meanwhile, the killers, Dick and Perry, have returned to their lives:
  • Perry stays in a hotel in Olathe.
  • Dick returns home to watch basketball.

Analysis of Narrative Technique

• Ellipsis in the Narrative:

  • The author, Truman Capote, uses an ellipsis, skipping the details of the actual murders.
  • This perspective is presented through the lens of the Holcomb community discovering the aftermath, maintaining the suspense around the killers' identities.

• Gradual Revelation of Motivation:

  • Capote reveals motivations slowly as the characters of Dick and Perry are developed.
  • At this stage, they remain largely unknown to the reader, creating intrigue regarding their characters and motives.

• Community Impact:

  • The murders result in widespread fear and dismay within a previously peaceful community.
  • The Clutters' deaths signify the arrival of a threatening "other" into the town, changing the dynamics of security and peace in Holcomb.