Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Second Thoughts?
"'Know what I think?' said Perry. 'I think there must be something wrong with us. To do what we did'"(108). Dick and Perry have finally begun their journey to Mexico. With the death of the Clutters currently behind them, they have nothing to worry about. If this is true, why does Perry continuously think that they made a mistake? Is he feeling guilty or is he merely afraid of the consequences? And what are Dick's thoughts about Perry and his complaining? What does this passage show about the relationship and the differences between these two companions? Is it possible that their partnership is taking a turn for the worse?
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After the murders the faulty relationship Dick and Perry have built starts to crumble under the stress of what they have done. We find out that Perry lied to Dick about the murder of the older man back in Las Vegas, and therefore everything Dick has assumed about Perry and tried to use is false. Perry is not the killer that Dick thought him to be. As for their journey to Mexico, Dick seems happy to get away from the murders, but because his use for Perry is over, he almost seems to be getting fed up with his partner. The treasure seems even more ridiculous, Perry’s dreams seems frivolous, and the bed wetting and thumb sucking seems unbearably childish to Dick. But, they need each other still. Because they killed together they have a connection they cannot break, and a need to be near the one person who understands what has just happened and how they are feeling. Though, Perry does a better job of helping Dick when compared to Dick having shut Perry down every time he needs to talk about the destruction they left back in Kansas. These two built their friendship on lies, but they are now inevitably tied together for the rest of their lives because of the atrocities they committed, together.
ReplyDeletePerry is continuously feeling guilty about what he's done. All through the second section the reader hears about him complaining and being upset about the murder. Dick is continuously annoyed by how he is feeling. Dick originally thought that Perry was a natural born killer, but there is a possibility that Dick is thinking otherwise, as a natural born killer wouldn't feel bad or guilty about what he or she had just done. Perry is slightly nervous about getting caught. He states, "Know what it is that really bugs me? About the other thing? It's just I don't believe it--that anyone can get away with a thing like that. Because I don't see how its possible. To do what we did. And just one hundred percent get away with it. I mean that's what bugs me--I can't get it out o f my head that something's got to happen"(109). Perry really believes that he is going to get caught and this quote proves that he is a little bit nervous about it. Dick is getting very frustrated with him as he says, "Now just shut up"(110). Dick is probably a little bit nervous about getting caught as well, otherwise he wouldn't get so agitated when perry talked about getting caught. This most likely won't change their partnership, but it is something that Perry should watch out for. Especially because later in the story when Barbara writes the letter, she talks about him not doing bad things again, clearly it is too late for that.
ReplyDeleteThe constant guilt of what Perry and Dick have done, is begining to weight too heavy on Perry's shoulders. Dick is appearing seemingly unconcerned about getting caught, while Perry on the other hand knows that with a crime like murdering a family, your not going to get away very easily. While reading this section we learn that Perry lied to Dick in regards to killing the black man years ago. He only told Dick that story so that Dick would like him more. So, basically the foundation of their freindship was built on lies. However Dick is still under the impression that Perry had actually killed a man, so he is confused as to why Perry is so concerned about this murder. When Perry is questioned about the murder by Dick he only says "Sure i did. Only-a nigger. Its not the same"(109). He is afraid to let his true self be revealed to Dick, in fear that he will loose his friendship. And right now, Dicks friendship is the only thing that Perry truely has.
ReplyDeleteI feel like Dick is also very nervous about getting caught, he is just afraid to let his emotions show. He is portrayed through out the story as the masculine guy with no fears, and if he is afraid to let his gaurd down and reveal his true emotions. I agree with Lexi, when she says that Dick is alos afraid of getting caught, because of how he reacts when Perry brings up the subject. If he truely was not nervous he would be able to brush off anything that Perry said without a second thought.
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ReplyDeletePerry is defiantly having second thoughts, but Dick is not. Perry finds the constant need to talk to Dick about the murders even though he is aware of the fact that this annoys Dick. Dick is constantly telling Perry to shut up, "Now just shut up"(110). It is a known fact to the reader that both killers have a sentimental fact, but Perry's is stronger and more apparent. Perry's guitar is one of the objects he chooses to take with him from Mexico to the U.S.A, the guitar represents his sentimental side and shows that Perry is not a natural born killer. After Perry had made the decision to kill the Clutters, chose his natural born killer side over his poetic side, he stills carries the guitar around;a representation of regret. The regret that Dick does not experience. While driving a dog walks out on to the road and in full attempt to kill it Dick drives straight into it, without looking back, without regret. Perry however is intimidated at Dick's behavior and makes up a false story of how he killed a person, "Sure I did. Only-a nigger. Its not the same"(109). This false story that Perry makes up is used to cover his regrets. Because, even though Perry is not directly talking about the Clutters he is still talking about death in general. He is constantly worrying and over thinking the situation. By over thinking the situation Perry really believes he is going to get caught, "Know what it is that really bugs me? About the other thing? It's just I don't believe it--that anyone can get away with a thing like that. Because I don't see how its possible. To do what we did. And just one hundred percent get away with it. I mean that's what bugs me--I can't get it out o f my head that something's got to happen"(109). He is unable to let it go and stop thinking about it. This constant worry may push Perry and Dick apart as the regret eats away at Perry and causes Dick to constantly get fed up.
ReplyDeleteThe differences between Dick and Perry are finally beginning to show. The similarities that these two thought they are deteriorating. Dick is starting to see a side of Perry that he did not notice in prison. He sees that even though Perry joined him for the operation, he seems to doubt the plan. Although the motives of the crime are still unclear and the book has yet to reveal why Perry is having second thoughts, we can see that Dick is annoyed with Perry. Dick seems to have a plan for everything. He assumes that his plans will succeed but everything has to follow through. When Perry starts to have second thoughts, Dick sees it as doubting the plan, which is something that Dick cannot allow this late in the game. Unlike Dick, Perry is unsure of the plan. The qualities of Perry that Willie-Jay noticed are starting to reveal themselves. Perry is starting to notice the differences between himself and Dick. He reads his letter from his sister Barbara and the biography that his father wrote. However, he too realizes that it is too late to pull away from his agreement with Dick. He believes that it is too late to turn to his family. Perry believes that it is best to move on without them, as Dick seems to have done. Even though there is no connection between Dick and Perry, they are both still trying hard to establish similarities.
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