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ICB through 155
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Describe the village of Holcomb. | Holcomb is a rural town with a population of about 270 people, reflecting its small size and tight-knit nature. The town is portrayed as quiet and relatively isolated, with a sense of peace and security that is shattered by the Clutter family murders. |
| During which year and what time of year does the novel take place? | 1959-1960 |
| Identify Mrs. Clutter’s health problem. How does her ailing health affect the other members of the Clutter family? | Bonnie Clutter's health problem is a significant and multifaceted issue that affects not only her own quality of life but also the dynamics and well-being of the entire Clutter family. |
| Herb Clutter had an inflexible attitude/policy toward what habit? Why? | Herb’s strict policy against alcohol was a reflection of his broader values and principles, aimed at preserving both personal integrity and family reputation. |
| How was Herb Clutter viewed by other members of the Holcomb community? | Herb Clutter was viewed as an exemplary figure in Holcomb, embodying the values of hard work, moral integrity, and community spirit. |
| How did Herb Clutter feel about Bobby Rupp, Nancy’s boyfriend? | Herb Clutter’s attitude towards Bobby Rupp was characterized by a balance of respect and protective concern. |
| Outline the details of “the score” as it is conceived by Dick and Perry. | Dick and Perry were going to steal $10,000 from a safe they thought was in the Clutters house. After that they were going to live a life of luxury in Mexico and vacation in other cities as well. |
| How was Nancy Clutter viewed by other members of the Holcomb community? | Nancy was viewed as very popular, responsible, and kind hearted. |
| Why didn’t Dick’s parents approve of his association with Perry? What was the lie Dick told to his parents? | They didn't like the idea of him befriending his inmates What was the lie Dick told to his parents? He told them that he and Perry would be gone overnight to go visit Perry's sister in Fort Scott that was holding $1500 for Perry |
| Describe Kenyon Clutter. | Kenyon Clutter was an awkward teenage boy who focused on anything other than girls. He was into cars and inventing, was six foot tall, wore a hemp colored crew cut with lanky glasses. |
| Who was Willie-Jay and why did he take to Perry? What did he have in common with Perry? What did Willie-Jay have to do with Perry’s acceptance of “the score?” | Willie-Jay was a mentor and friend to Perry Smith, providing him with intellectual and emotional support. |
| Name one of the habits Herb Clutter was known for. How is this pertinent to the crime? | Herb Clutter's habits and disciplined lifestyle contributed to the criminals’ perception of the Clutters as a wealthy target, which was a key factor in the planning and execution of the robbery and subsequent murders. |
| Herb and Bob Johnson make a business deal on the very same day that Herb is killed. How does this deal provide a potential motive for the murder of the Clutters? | The business deal between Herb Clutter and Bob Johnson on the day of the murder provided a plausible motive for the crime. |
| What was the last stop made by the two travelers before they visited the Clutter household? What was the bad omen Perry perceived while they were there? | Despite this ominous feeling, the two continued with their plan to visit the Clutter household, where their actions led to the tragic and violent outcome. |
| What was it that ultimately convinced Dick that Perry would make a good partner for his plan? | Dick Hickock was convinced of Perry Smith’s suitability as a criminal partner due to Perry's experience with crime, his physical and psychological attributes, his readiness for violence, and their shared criminal objectives. |
| What was the last thing Nancy Clutter was known to have done before going to sleep? | The last thing Nancy Clutter was known to have done before going to sleep was to call her friend, Susan Kidwell. |
| Who are the first people to find the Clutters? What was one of the first clues they spotted once inside the Clutter household? | Nancy Ewalt and Susan Kidwell were the people who found the Clutters first. They spotted that Nancy's purse was open. |
| Provide one reason that the sheriff ruled out robbery. | The absence of a substantial monetary gain from the robbery contradicted the initial assumption that theft was the motive behind the brutal murders. |
| Does Mrs. Clare’s attitude toward the news of the murders surprise you? Why or why not? | Mrs. Clare’s reaction to the murders might initially seem surprising given the gravity of the situation, it can be understood in the context of her personal disposition and circumstances. |
| What is Mr. Johnson talking about when he says legally obliged and morally obliged? What does he decide to do? | Mr. Johnson’s stance highlights the dual nature of his responsibilities: to uphold the law and to address the ethical implications of the crime, ensuring that both justice and moral integrity are maintained throughout the investigation. |
| How does Bobby find out about Nancy’s murder? What is his reaction to the news? | Bobby Rupp’s reaction to the news of Nancy’s murder is marked by profound emotional turmoil and disbelief. |
| Where do Perry and Dick go after he murders? What do Perry and Dick do after the murders? | Their actions after the murders reflect a pattern of desperation and attempts to evade justice, which ultimately led to their capture and the legal proceedings that followed. |
| Why do Andy Erhart and other friends of Herb Clutter offer to clean the house? | The offer to clean the Clutter household was driven by a combination of respect for the Clutter family, support for the grieving community, and a desire to help in the aftermath of a tragic and unsettling event. |
| Why didn’t the Stocklein’s hear the sounds of the guns or of screaming? | The Stockleins and other nearby residents did not hear the sounds of the murders due to a combination of factors, including the distance from the Clutter home, the time of night, the nature and volume of the gunfire, and possible background noise. |
| Describe Dewey’s two differing scenarios/ “concepts” of the crime. | The investigation revealed that the true motive was a combination of both scenarios. Richard Hickock and Perry Smith, the perpetrators, had initially planned a robbery, but the crime escalated into extreme violence. |
| Describe the various leads and suspects at this time. | The complexity and persistence of the investigation highlighted the challenges of solving such a brutal and perplexing case. |
| What is Perry’s premonition as he and Dick sit reading the paper in the diner a few days later? Describe at least one other time where Perry has had a similar feeling. What is Dick’s reaction? | Perry’s premonition while reading the newspaper reflects his growing anxiety and sense of guilt about the murders. |
| What is Dick’s significant admission during that same conversation? | Dick Hickock’s significant admission during the conversation in the diner involves his acknowledgment of the unanticipated brutality of the murders and his regrets about the outcome. |
| Describe Perry’s dream. | Perry Smith’s dream is a powerful and symbolic representation of his inner struggles, featuring elements of confrontation, isolation, and death. |
| How did Susan Kidwell react after going “to see Nancy” at the funeral home? | Susan Kidwell’s visit to the funeral home left her in a state of shock and emotional distress. |
| How do Dick and Perry come up with money to support themselves in the days after the murders? Explain. | Dick and Perry's financial strategy in the days after the murders involved a combination of petty theft, direct robbery, and the utilization of stolen goods. |
| How does Dick express some small measure of regret for his method of accruing money? | Dick Hickock’s expressions of regret are nuanced and relatively small in the context of his overall demeanor and actions. |
| Where are Perry and Dick planning to go after they raise enough money? What are their plans once they get there? Do you find their plans plausible? Why or why not? | Perry and Dick’s plans to escape to Mexico and start anew were fraught with significant challenges and shortcomings. |
| What happens to each of Dewey’s leads in the case? | The critical breakthrough came from a tip provided by a former inmate, which led investigators to focus on Richard Hickock and Perry Smith. |
| Which discoveries made within the Clutter household lead Dewey to reexamine the possible motivation being robbery? | The discoveries within the Clutter household, including the small amount of money taken, the extreme brutality of the crime, and the untouched valuables, led Dewey to reexamine the initial robbery motive. |
| Which details within the Clutter household convince Dewey that at least one of the murders must have felt emotionally attached to the Clutters? | The combination of excessive brutality, evidence of familiarity with the Clutter household, and the personal nature of the crime scene led Sheriff Dewey to believe that at least one of the perpetrators had an emotional attachment to the victims. |
| At this point of the novel, describe the effect Dewey’s work is having on his wife and children. What is the implied answer to Marie’s question about having a normal life? | Sheriff Dewey’s work on the Clutter case is having a profound effect on his family, causing emotional strain, worry, and disruption of their normal life. |
| .What does Beverly Clutter decide to do just three days after the funeral of her father, mother and brother? | Beverly Clutter’s decision to leave the family home just three days after the funeral is a response to the overwhelming grief and trauma caused by the murders of her father, mother, and brother. |
| Describe Perry’s family background | Perry Smith’s family background is characterized by significant instability, abuse, and neglect. |
| Before Perry and Dick murdered the Clutter family, why did Perry tell Dick the story of a time that he “fixed a guy?” | Perry Smith told Dick Hickock the story of a time he had "fixed a guy" to demonstrate his toughness and criminal experience |
| What are some of Holcomb’s residents (like the Ashido’s) starting to do? | In the aftermath of the Clutter murders, Holcomb’s residents, including the Ashidos, begin to take various steps to address the newfound sense of insecurity. |
| What is the last thing Perry does before he and Dick part ways with Otto in Mexico? | The last thing Perry does before he and Dick part ways with Otto in Mexico is to give him a gold ring. |
| Who is Jonathan Daniel Adrian? | Jonathan Daniel Adrian is a former cellmate of Perry Smith and an inmate at the Kansas State Penitentiary. |
| What motivates Perry’s father to write “A History of My Boy’s Life”? How does Tex John Smith characterize his son? | Tex John Smith’s motivation to write “A History of My Boy’s Life” is driven by a need for personal justification and a desire to influence public perception of Perry. |
| Briefly describe Perry’s time in the Merchant Marines | Perry Smith’s time in the Merchant Marines involved a mix of adventure, travel, and personal challenges. |
| What did Perry and his dad plan to do together when they reunited in Alaska? What was the outcome of their plan? | Perry and his father, Tex, planned to start a new life together in Alaska by establishing a business. |
| In one thorough paragraph, describe Perry’s letter from his sister. | Perry Smith received a poignant letter from his sister, Fern, which deeply impacted him. In the letter, Fern expressed a heartfelt and emotional appeal for Perry to come home and reconnect with his family. |
| How does Willie-Jay interpret Barbara’s letter? | Willie-Jay, a fellow inmate and friend of Perry Smith, interprets Barbara’s letter with a sense of empathy and insight into Perry’s emotional state. |
| What becomes of the Adrian lead? | The Adrian lead initially provided useful information in the investigation of the Clutter family murders but eventually became less significant due to issues with the accuracy of Adrian’s testimony. |
| How is Dewey handling the stress and pressure of the case? | Detective Alvin Dewey handles the stress and pressure of the Clutter family murder case through intense professional dedication, which takes a heavy emotional and physical toll on him. |
Created by:
sramey27