Double Sided Perry

Perry’s character appears to have two sides, one which we sympathize with, and one which we shrink from in disgust. In a humanizing act, Perry adopted a pet squirrel in an effort to acquire some company. He, “named it Red, and Red soon settled down, apparently content to share his friend’s captivity” (254). Perry’s expression of loneliness makes the reader sympathize with his pitiable state. He also makes himself more human by showing sympathy for others. He chooses to retract his statement against Dick because he, “didn’t want to die with his mother thinking he had killed any members of the Clutter family. And he said the Hickocks were good people” (286). By showing his concern for Dick’s family he also raises our concern for him. However, this is difficult to swallow when compared to his feelings toward his own sister. He busts upon hearing of her, “I wish she’d been in that house that night. What a sweet scene” (259). This ejaculation is repulsive to the reader, turning Perry into a monster. 
Capote scatters contrasting pictures of Perry across this section.