In Cold Blood
Perry vs. Chigurh
Perry: detailed look at childhood, abusive relationship with parents, domestic violence, lack of education, alcoholic mother, her death, orphanage, nuns – sexual abuse, homosexual
Appearance: victim, deformed physique, stunted life, needy, childhood
Victim of American Dream and victim of American justice system
Failed business with his father
Chigurh – little insight into background, no nationality, no family background – although Vietnam mentioned (military efficiency – US special forces)
Appearance: invulnerable and unstoppable
Justice System
Perry: victim of criminal justice system – in his defense; lawyers; jury – miscarriage of justice because of his mental state
Chigurh: beyond criminal justice, can’t be pinned down, Bell avoids him, law not even on his radar, Bell and law several steps behind, Chigurh a new threat
In contrast:
Dewey supports death penalty, but feels sympathy for Perry
Bell – Chigurh bypasses death penalty altogether
Comparisons:
* Both murderers * Both intrude onto private property * Perry – one and only murder (childhood act) * Chigurh – norm: takes possession of all property * Weaponry – ICB not specified really or focus of investigation BUT in NCFOM Chigurh becomes associated with weapons as a symbol for masculinity
Encounter with victim:
Perry: disassociation, psychiatrist – killed part rage for childhood, ‘someone had to pay’ (abuse of past)
Chigurh: detatched Wells (running away from C and he is killed), Mexican (killed), Eagle Pass Shootout, Carla Jean (Wells’ wife), and encounter at gas station, unnamed man 17th floor. Fatalistic angle of death – makes people aware of their lives and measures them. Efficient killings, no witnesses – ruthless, violent – contemporary drug culture (Mexican drug cartel)
Paragraphs
1. Emotional background 2. Gothic representations (P physical appearance vs. Chigurh superhuman) 3. Criminal Justice
Perry: detailed look at childhood, abusive relationship with parents, domestic violence, lack of education, alcoholic mother, her death, orphanage, nuns – sexual abuse, homosexual
Appearance: victim, deformed physique, stunted life, needy, childhood
Victim of American Dream and victim of American justice system
Failed business with his father
Chigurh – little insight into background, no nationality, no family background – although Vietnam mentioned (military efficiency – US special forces)
Appearance: invulnerable and unstoppable
Justice System
Perry: victim of criminal justice system – in his defense; lawyers; jury – miscarriage of justice because of his mental state
Chigurh: beyond criminal justice, can’t be pinned down, Bell avoids him, law not even on his radar, Bell and law several steps behind, Chigurh a new threat
In contrast:
Dewey supports death penalty, but feels sympathy for Perry
Bell – Chigurh bypasses death penalty altogether
Comparisons:
* Both murderers * Both intrude onto private property * Perry – one and only murder (childhood act) * Chigurh – norm: takes possession of all property * Weaponry – ICB not specified really or focus of investigation BUT in NCFOM Chigurh becomes associated with weapons as a symbol for masculinity
Encounter with victim:
Perry: disassociation, psychiatrist – killed part rage for childhood, ‘someone had to pay’ (abuse of past)
Chigurh: detatched Wells (running away from C and he is killed), Mexican (killed), Eagle Pass Shootout, Carla Jean (Wells’ wife), and encounter at gas station, unnamed man 17th floor. Fatalistic angle of death – makes people aware of their lives and measures them. Efficient killings, no witnesses – ruthless, violent – contemporary drug culture (Mexican drug cartel)
Paragraphs
1. Emotional background 2. Gothic representations (P physical appearance vs. Chigurh superhuman) 3. Criminal Justice