Dick Hickock

Throughout the first three parts of In Cold Blood it is evident that Dick is using Perry rather than being his actual friend. Dick does this in a few ways, first in the first part, he simply called him names like honey and sweety as to say that Dick himself was above Perry. Secondly, Dicks use of, a normal put himself superior to Perry. Though in section three this fact becomes less evident. Whether it is Dicks obsession with little girls, money, or simply his coward act to throw Perry under the bus, part three shows use who Dick really is. Once it is evident to Dick that they had been caught he didn't waste any time to separate himself from the murders. "Perry Smith killed the Clutters...It was Perry. I couldn't stop him. He killed them all" (230). This sad fact may be true, though Dick goes out of his way throughout the first three parts to stress to Perry that if they were ever caught, then they shouldn't confess. This directly goes against what Dick spoke about and the interrogations show who Dick really is. Ultimately, when the real Dick is shown it makes the reader feel even more sympathy for Perry. Throughout the book Perry has gone along with Dick and he should not get all the blame for the killings. Yes, he is the one that pulled the trigger and slit the throat though it was Dick who planned all of this. Although there motive was never to kill the Clutters Perry reached that "explosive emotional reaction" (43). As Willie Jay described during part 1. In the end, through Dicks false nature throughout the first three parts it makes the reader feel more sympathy, and feel very bad for Perry.