Character List and Analysis
Dick Hickock
One of the two murderers of the Clutter family, Dick is motivated by carnal impulses: lust, greed, vanity, and indulgence of any kind. He is the mastermind and instigator of the murders, having heard about a "big score" at the Clutter ranch. He is further motivated by the fact that there is a teenage girl in the house; Dick intends to rape her. After the murders, Dick shows no remorse or interest in discussing the crime; he remains focused on finding money and women, and avoiding capture. He is uneducated but very street-wise and charming; he is able to con shop owners and vulnerable women out of money and property. His friendship with Perry stems solely from a lie Perry told him in which he killed a man with a bicycle chain. Dick was amused by the story and had hoped to bring forth Perry's murderous nature again during the Clutter robbery.