Is it all an act?

In Section 4, The Corner, Perry Smith's and Dick Hickock's execution nears as time passes by while the two criminals spend most of their time either in the court room or prison cell. While behind bars, Perry Smith appears to have a much more emotional reaction to his imprisonment. His presence in prison seems to have a deeper and downing effect on him. Contrary to Dick Hickock, Perry Smith at times refuses to talk, and keeps silent to himself with an expression on his face that portrays helplessness,pity, and sorrow. He also refuses to eat. However while imprisonment seems to have such a devastating effect on Perry, he tells his friend Cullivan that in reality, he does not feel pity or regret towards his actions. So if he doesn't feel any guilt,pity or any sort of emotion, why does he act as if he does? Perry's odd behavior and his friends' suspicion forces me to raise a question about whether or not his depressive behavior is real or not. His friends suspect that his behavior is simply an act as an attempt to get out of prison. Dick insists, "He just wants to get out of here. Play-acting. So they'll say he's crazy and put him in the crazy house" while discussing Perry's absence of appetite and refusal of food with Andrews (318). In my opinion, it would make perfect sense for Perry to play a psychological game on the prison guards and the ones surrounding him to get out of prison. It makes sense especially after he said, "I'm human enough to feel sorry for myself. Sorry I can't walk out of here when you walk out" (291).