In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

Comprehension Questions:

Answer the questions and prepare them for class discussion:

1.     Describe the village of Holcomb.

2.     During which year and what time of year does the novel take place?

3.     Identify Mrs. Clutter’s health problem.  How does her ailing health affect the other members of the Clutter family? 

4.     Herb Clutter had an inflexible attitude/policy toward what habit?  Why?

5.     How was Herb Clutter viewed by other members of the Holcomb community? 

6.     How did Herb Clutter feel about Bobby Rupp, Nancy’s boyfriend?               

7.     Outline the details of “the score” as it is conceived by Dick and Perry.

8.     How was Nancy Clutter viewed by other members of the Holcomb community? 

9.     Why didn’t Dick’s parents approve of his association with Perry?  What was the lie Dick told to his parents? 

10. Describe Kenyon Clutter.

11. Create a compare-and-contrast chart with Dick and Perry.  Compare the physically and psychologically.