“In Cold Blood” is a true crime novel written by Truman Capote. It tells the story of the brutal murder of the Clutter family in Holcomb, Kansas, in 1959. Capote’s meticulous research and captivating writing style have made this book a classic in the genre. Throughout “In Cold Blood,” there are several quotes that capture the essence of the story, revealing the dark and twisted nature of the crime and its impact on society. In this article, we have compiled a list of some of the most memorable quotes from “In Cold Blood.”
Truman Capote’s “In Cold Blood” delves deep into the minds of both the victims and the murderers. It explores the motivations and psyche of individuals involved in the crime, offering a chilling and thought-provoking narrative. The quotes from the book not only shed light on the events surrounding the murder but also provide insights into the human condition.
Whether you have read “In Cold Blood” or are just curious about the book, these quotes will give you a glimpse into the haunting world Capote created. From the killers’ remorse to the community’s fear, these lines will leave a lasting impact on readers, reminding them of the tragic consequences of violence.
Read these In Cold Blood Quotes
“I thought he was a very nice gentleman. Soft-spoken. I thought so right up to the moment I cut his throat.”
“I thought that Mr. Clutter was a very nice gentleman. I thought so right up to the moment I slit his throat.”
“Perry was always asking, ‘Who am I? What am I doing? What have I done?’ All his life, up to the very moment of the murders, the answer to those questions had been, ‘Nothing. You’ve done nothing, and you are nothing. You’re not even you, because you don’t know who you are!'”
“Like a tired swimmer in a strong current, he could stop swimming and drift; then suddenly he would be drawn violently to the surface, gasping for breath, helplessly tossed. It was a sensation he had known since earliest childhood, a feeling of being tormented and persecuted.”
“It was a crime that for almost six years had been regarded as among the most grimly baffling unsolved cases in the annals of American crime. Now there were arrests. In a matter of hours the two young men had become the most celebrated prisoners in the state of Kansas.”
“The villages of Holcomb and Garden City stand on the high wheat plains of western Kansas, a lonesome area that other Kansans call ‘out there.’
“Dick’s eyes, a fast, dark blue, were alert and darting; his fingernails were clean, and he wore freshly polished cordovans and a navy blue work shirt with a plain white pocket.”
“But the part of him that is most often in control is a rational, logical, hard-working man, a professional man, a man who keeps his word because he is, after all, a man of honor.”
“A good detective knows that every minute counts. But I’m not a detective. I’m not even a cop.”
“Perry, despite his long experience, did not have a professional criminal’s agility. He had been arrested for crimes like these half a dozen times, and in every instance, he had been caught because he had left behind a clue.”
“He [Perry] had done what he had been told to do so many times—like a robot. He had picked a victim, followed him, waited for him to be alone, and then killed him.”
“The Clutters had been like the rest of us: they hadn’t thought such a thing could happen. Not in their wildest dreams, not even in their modest nightmares.”
“You’re a coward, Perry. You’re a goddamn coward. You can’t take it, you dish it out, but you can’t take it.”
“Their last moments were as cruel as the rest of their lives, only they were more concentrated.”
“The murders themselves, though committed with the same weapon, had been accomplished in different ways. Each reflected the psychology of the killer or killers.”
“But then, what really matters? If something I told you was not true, would it make any difference? Would you dismiss all the rest, simply because of one statement?”
“To me, it was more than a place; it was a religion. I loved it more than any other place on earth.”
“His voice was soft and high-pitched, a voice that, combined with his slight build, made him seem a mere boy. But his muscular arms and chest told a different story.”
“The crime was a psychological accident, virtually an impersonal act; the victims might as well have been killed by lightning.”
“But I don’t think he [Perry] did it alone. I don’t think he could have. It took two people to do what was done to them. Two people.”
These quotes from “In Cold Blood” offer a glimpse into the chilling world Capote created. They highlight the complexity of the characters, the impact of the crime, and the deep psychological exploration that the book undertakes. If you are intrigued by true crime and want to delve into the minds of murderers and their victims, “In Cold Blood” is a must-read.
