Capote’s purpose of this passage was to create an ironic effect on Nancy’s typical beauty routine before going to her weekly ritual on Sunday’s. This was the night of the murder and because Nancy does not know that the pretty dress she has chosen is going to be the one she will be buried in, it creates an empathetic and frightening sentiment to the occurrence. Her Sunday ritual requires “cleansing” so she is taking a bath and washing her hair, she is the vision of a pure and religious individual who will unknowingly have her life taken away that very night making her seem even more innocent. This makes me think deeper as to why the killer chose her and her family when they were all guiltless and had good morals. This event occurred so unknowingly
