Lydia Pouncey

2A

11/2/17

In Cold Blood Response Paragraphs

Perry Smith grew up with in a childhood no one would ever want to live in. His mother a drunk, his father an abusive man, and the suicides of 2 of his three siblings. Perry didn't grow up without a family he grew up with no close family. IN better terms perry didn't grow up in a lovely nurturing home like most kids do. Isolated people like Perry, who have no close family ties are at a high risk for social deviance.

Since the book came out in 1966 but was taking place in 1959 the definition of what “family” is has changed overtime. In the 1950s “family” was pictured as a united loving group of two parents who loved each other and siblings who cared about each other, they group of members also had this religious way at looking at life. Nowadays the “perfect family” is pictured to have lots of money a big house parents who aren't divorced and loving caring over the top protective adult figures. Religion is as serious to a lot of families nowadays but it is still practiced though it's not the role of the family. Unlike in the 50s parents aren't able to do a lot of things to their children to hopefully raise them to be a better generation.

A great example of a so called “perfect family” in the 50s was the Clutter family. The townspeople thought this one particular family was the image of perfect. Why? Because the clutter family lives by high moral standards imposed upon by Mr. Clutter. The Clutters appear to be somewhat perfect amidst their flaws. A few examples of their flaws begins with the mother, Bonnie, she's suffering from postnatal depression and has a sense of uselessness with her children. Keyon, the only son, barely has any male interaction. The way he acts he is “ not in the least Mr. Clutter's son but rather Bonnie's child, a sensitive and reticent boy” (Capote 39). Nancy, she's the rebellious one who breaks her parents rules and curfews but it still seen as the a precious child to the clutters and community. But all of those flaws are just overlooked because of the praise the community has on Mr. Clutter, a moderately wealthy man with a successful farm, also involves himself in many organizations, he's a community leader, and is a very strict Methodist which in the 50s was a big deal.

Like i spoke about in the previous paragraph, Bonnie has postnatal depression, and has a sense of uselessness to her family. Well on the flip side not only is her mental issue her problems and affecting her it's affecting her family as well. Bonnie can't stand having to make decisions during Herbs frequent business trips, so shes turn the responsibility for running the household to her daughter and husband. It's like her depression is bringing the family more together to help keep the family a whole despite one being depressed.

In conclusion you can see how Perry's way of growing up was no way near the perfect life, but honestly whose life is perfect?. They way Perry grew up isolated and taken from the opportunity to live a happy life obviously put him at high risk for social deviance, which is was. He than became a thief and a murder and eventually hung and killed because there was no one around to teach him right from wrong.