Gazing out the window studying the smoke of the burning vehicle outside their Nash Rambler, whose engine “boiled over again just after [Toby and his] mother crossed the Continental Divide”, Tobias Wolff’s mother contemplates the lack of accomplishments she has achieved in her life. Her lamenting of the harsh memories of Florida “that had gotten her no farther than flat broke and sometimes not that far,” compels their family of two to reevaluate their lives until they come to a conclusion of what direction their lives are headed (Tobias Wolff 6). Toby’s mother, who is searching for a haven of peace and security for her child, warns her young son to refrain from the mistakes that she has made, mistakes that stem from her impulsive nature. With
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Dick’s rather staunch beliefs come from his conviction that he is intrinsically deviant and doesn’t fit into society. In the beginning of the story, Dick and Perry fittingly describe themselves a being part of a “race of men that don’t fit in, a race that can’t stay still.” (117). Dick uses this quote to justify his unending willingness to hurt Perry. Inherently, Dick is a wicked person whose sole purpose is to hurt others because he doesn’t “fit in”. Dick’s painful notion to delude Perry is defined by a preconceived idea that his ““Enemy was anyone who was someone he wanted to be or who had anything he wanted to have.”(225). The quote ironically sums up the eminent Clutter family, a hard working middle class family that had money and a good home. This coupled with Capote’s description of Dick, “with a knife in his hand”, as having power highlights a sense of jealousy over those who have amounted to something more than he (226). It also marks the beginning of Dick using his power, both physically and mentally, over those who help him achieve his dreams. Dick’s avaricious demand for something more leads to his “score”. a robbery which represents Dick’s chance to have everything he covets. Unfortunately, Dick’s seditious “score” to rob an innocent family prompts Perry into turning away from the life he had spent preserving. Later in the novel, we see key …show more content…
Dick’s nihilistic approach to life coupled with his conducively bad personality serves as a portent of failure throughout the novel. Dick manages to hurt those surrounding him by abusing their credulous belief in him. His greedy actions are a constant reaction to “the whole world [posed] against [him]- that’s how he figured.” (196). This insecure and paranoid view of the world emphasizes independence in Dick. This paired with Dick’s constant battle against those around him, a struggle which Capote describes as “running a race without a finish line”, highlights Dick’s struggle in the world surrounding him (240) Later in the novel, his emotional state causes him to become narrow-minded and lose the true meaning of life. For Dick, “envy was constantly with him”, a trait that highlights longing for something greater. (237) This also causes obsessive Dick to stray away from the correct path. While his emotional characteristics play a large role in his criminal activity, his physical characteristics also contribute Dick 's criminal involvement. Dick’s narrow-mindedness and insensitivity manifest themselves in the murder. For example, whilst contemplating the murder of the Clutter family, Dick insensitively states that “It’s easy to kill- a lot easier than passing a bad check.” (340). The nonchalant wording of Dick 's response raises
Dick’s rather staunch beliefs come from his conviction that he is intrinsically deviant and doesn’t fit into society. In the beginning of the story, Dick and Perry fittingly describe themselves a being part of a “race of men that don’t fit in, a race that can’t stay still.” (117). Dick uses this quote to justify his unending willingness to hurt Perry. Inherently, Dick is a wicked person whose sole purpose is to hurt others because he doesn’t “fit in”. Dick’s painful notion to delude Perry is defined by a preconceived idea that his ““Enemy was anyone who was someone he wanted to be or who had anything he wanted to have.”(225). The quote ironically sums up the eminent Clutter family, a hard working middle class family that had money and a good home. This coupled with Capote’s description of Dick, “with a knife in his hand”, as having power highlights a sense of jealousy over those who have amounted to something more than he (226). It also marks the beginning of Dick using his power, both physically and mentally, over those who help him achieve his dreams. Dick’s avaricious demand for something more leads to his “score”. a robbery which represents Dick’s chance to have everything he covets. Unfortunately, Dick’s seditious “score” to rob an innocent family prompts Perry into turning away from the life he had spent preserving. Later in the novel, we see key …show more content…
Dick’s nihilistic approach to life coupled with his conducively bad personality serves as a portent of failure throughout the novel. Dick manages to hurt those surrounding him by abusing their credulous belief in him. His greedy actions are a constant reaction to “the whole world [posed] against [him]- that’s how he figured.” (196). This insecure and paranoid view of the world emphasizes independence in Dick. This paired with Dick’s constant battle against those around him, a struggle which Capote describes as “running a race without a finish line”, highlights Dick’s struggle in the world surrounding him (240) Later in the novel, his emotional state causes him to become narrow-minded and lose the true meaning of life. For Dick, “envy was constantly with him”, a trait that highlights longing for something greater. (237) This also causes obsessive Dick to stray away from the correct path. While his emotional characteristics play a large role in his criminal activity, his physical characteristics also contribute Dick 's criminal involvement. Dick’s narrow-mindedness and insensitivity manifest themselves in the murder. For example, whilst contemplating the murder of the Clutter family, Dick insensitively states that “It’s easy to kill- a lot easier than passing a bad check.” (340). The nonchalant wording of Dick 's response raises