Portraits of Perry

As I read this first segment of In Cold Blood, I was struck by the three varying portrayals of Perry. Through the eyes of his cohort, Dick, Perry is essentially a sociopath. He gradually “became convinced that Perry was that rarity, “a natural killer”” (55). He believed him to be absolutely sane but completely without conscience, and capable of killing without motive. He hoped that he could exploit this “talent” of Perry’s for his own use. A contrasting, and rather better thought out view on nature of Perry’s soul is expressed by his “real and only friend” Willie-Jay. By way of letter at the time of their parting, Willie-Jay expresses his opinion of Perry’s character and says, “You are a man of extreme passion, a hungry man not quite sure where his appetite lies” (43). Willie-Jay is referencing a deep unsettled feeling he senses in Perry. He also mentions Perry’s most prominent flaw, calling it, “Explosive emotional reaction out of all proportion to the occasion” (43). Meaning volatile emotionally charged responses that are out of proportion to the situation. Lastly, we are presented with Perry’s view of himself. He is a rather conceited man. He spends a great deal of time gazing into mirrors, and studying his own countenance. What Perry saw when he looked in a mirror, “he saw himself—“exceptional,” “rare,” “artistic”” (45). He also aspired to great fame, performing in front of large crowds. Of the three portraits, although Dick’s seems most obvious a choice, Willie-Jay’s is the best explanation for Perry’s participation in the murders. It is highly unlikely that Perry is a sociopath, and he has plenty of emotions surrounding other things like his own future, and daydreams. Willie-Jay’s explanation accounts emotionally for Perry’s actions.