In Cold Blood free essay sample

As people grow older they base their success on becoming rich or famous; their main motive in life is to live the American Dream. The environment that people grow up in, may determine for one how they achieve this dream. Most individuals who grow up in a well mannered home develop become very success and other may acheive what they want through a life of crime. In Truman Capote’s novel, In Cold Blood, the role of Richard â€Å"Dick† Hickock as an iconic character provides In Cold Blood with a more dramatic and artificial story line, that supports the overall theme of living the â€Å"American Dream. † Richard Hickock, better known as Dick, was portrayed as the mastermind of everything that he and Perry did throughout the story. One may comprehend from the story that it was Dick’s idea to murder the Clutters, pass the fake checks, and commit the other criminal activates that the two men partook in. We will write a custom essay sample on In Cold Blood or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Capote’s use of personality gives the reader a sense of what Dick’s main motive was throughout the story. Dick states that I know it is wrong when we started too. After reading this, one may begin to realize that Dick knew right from wrong and could not control his actions because thats who he was. Capotes use of this statement provides the readers with the knowledge that Dick was ashamed of his actions and was willing to hurt others to live out his dream. Dick killed the Clutters for money, passed fake checks for money, and traveled looking for jobs all so that he could live a peaceful life. He wanted to live the American dream. Without Capote’s use and characteristics that Dick portrayed, one may not have quite comprehended the overall message of In Cold Blood to live the American dream as the Clutters had been doing. In addition, on numerous accounts throughout the story Dick can be perceived as being very manipulative and taking advantage of Perry. Through Dick’s actions and tone, Capote gives the reader a understanding that Dick had more control over Perry. As the book progresses, the two men continue to travel with each other in search for a fantasy-like place for them to stay. As they travel, Dick’s tone is very serious with Perry and his actions and thought process dictate what the both of them do. One may believe that Capote wrote the novel and portrayed Dick this way for one to relate his actions to real society. In today’s modern society, people will steal from others and do just about anything to earn money, just as Dick had, to be able to become rich and live the American Dream. In conclusion, Truman Capote’s use of Dick as a character gave the reader a clear understanding of his motives and drive towards living the American Dream. Living the American Dream is not always an easy journey but sometimes you may hurt others, backstab people you love and go the extra mile to achieve what you want. As Henry Thoreau stated â€Å"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined. † Just as Dick believed that killing the Clutters was part of his pathway towards living the American Dream, little did he know he would die trying to live that dream and that’s what makes him an iconic character.