Perry - Crazy?

Although we sometimes find ourselves sympathizing with Perry, we also find ourselves becoming gradually more aware of his deep-rooted conceit, and possible mental instability. Capote goes to great lengths to acquaint the reader with Perry. In this section his belief in his own superiority becomes further evident. Perry describes himself, saying, “A brilliant mind and talent plus” (185). He is convinced of his own brilliance. Mrs. Johnson, his own sister, in observing a photograph of him, “saw, not gratitude but arrogance, and in place of pride, immense conceit” (187). Perry exudes self-importance, and arrogance even through photograph. He often feels himself above activities acceptable to those he finds below him. When traveling with the hitchhikers, and participating in the can collecting he, “merely indicated to the boy the whereabouts of his finds; he thought it too undignified to scurry about collecting them himself. It was all “pretty silly,” just “kid stuff””(210). Perry sees himself as beyond such petty activities. Beyond his conceit, we also begin to suspect a deeper flaw. We begin to suspect mental instability. His sister despairingly comments “The rights of other people mean nothing to Perry. He has no respect for anyone” (181). Mrs. Johnson, who is so intimately knowledgeable of her brother’s character, is convinced of his utter lack of emotion concerning others.