How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
He did not smoke, and of course he did not drink; indeed, he had never tasted spirits, and was inclined to avoid people who had—a circumstance that did not shrink his social circle as much as might be supposed, for the center of that circle was supplied by the members of Garden City's First Methodist Church, […] most of whom were as abstemious as Mr. Clutter could desire. (1.13)
Here's our first look at the devout Mr. Clutter and how the social life of a religious family is rooted in their church. Capote doesn't let on how he feels about Herb's "abstemiousness." He just describes it.
Quote #2
Though [Bonnie Clutter] subscribed to several periodicals, […] none of these rested on her bedside table—only a Bible.
We know that Bonnie suffered from severe depression and felt weak and discouraged. We see here how much comfort she took in her Bible. It's what she reads before bedtime, which is probably when she feels most alone and dejected.
Quote #3
Perry decided to speak out; he was sorry, but it was not for him—heaven, hell, saints, divine mercy—and if Willie-Jay's affection was founded on the prospect of Perry's someday joining him at the foot of the Cross, then he was deceived and their friendship false, a counterfeit like the portrait. (1.149)
Perry can't pretend that he's a believer even to keep the friendship of the one person he feels really understands him. It's pretty courageous of Perry to admit that, if you ask us. He refuses to be a hypocrite. He has a certain weird integrity.