The American dream is the idea of ​​creating a more prosperous and joyful life, where opportunity for success is equal. can cause people to develop resentment towards others, creating an American nightmare Truman Capote's In Cold Blood unveils the darkness of these nightmares through the attempted murder of a wholesome family, the Clutters to achieve their version of. American dream by stealing from the Clutters, ultimately leading to the death of families The American dream is distorted by the truths told Even if one can succeed, success is not always eternal Say no to plagiarism. Why "Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get the original essay The Clutter family is presented as having achieved the American dream and having a typically American family and lifestyle. Not only was Mr. Clutter's farm prosperous, but he was also very respected. within his community because of his determination and perseverance. Mr. Clutter “worked eighteen hours a day…but after a decade, [his] estate extended to over eight hundred freehold acres” (11). In addition to his own success, his children were also very accomplished; Eveanna was studying to be a nurse, Beverly was engaged to a young biologist, Nancy was the town sweetheart, and Kenyon was the dashing young boy. Yet all of their accomplishments are ruined in one night when they are murdered by Dick and Perry. Their murder generated fear throughout the town of Holcomb because the Clutters were idolized and put on a pedestal. As a school teacher said to Detective Dewey: “Anyone who is less admired. Prosperous. Secure. But this family represented everything that people here truly value and respect, and that such a thing could happen to them” (88). Although they achieved the American dream, their deaths showed the Holcomb community that success is difficult to maintain. The greed and jealousy of those who failed to succeed is creating an American nightmare. Dick and Perry came from backgrounds that exemplified the typical American dream story. Dick grew up in a stable, middle-class lifestyle, he yearned for more and felt like something less was beneath him. After being involved in a car accident, Dick's behavior began to change rapidly. His father said: “After that he wasn’t the same boy. Gambling, writing bad checks. I never knew him to do these things before” (166). Perry's childhood, unlike Dick, was extremely traumatic as he spent many years in abusive orphanages and foster homes. As he recalls, “shortly after, [his] mother placed [him] in a Catholic orphanage. The one where the Black Widows were still [him]. Hit him. Because of wetting the bed” (132). Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article now from our expert writers. Get a Custom Essay However, the two end up in prison where a certain Floyd Wells told them about the Clutters. : how prosperous, generous and above all rich they were. Floyd remembers: “Dick was talking about killing Mr. Clutter. He said he and Perry were going to go over there and rob the place, and they were going to kill all the witnesses – the Clutters” (161). Out of hatred and jealousy, Dick had decided to rob and kill the Clutter family. Indeed, the Clutters represented everything Dick and Perry wanted from their lives: wealth and prosperity. Throughout the novel, the American dream is invalidated by the demolished fate of Clutter's death which symbolizes the erasure of the dream. While the desire..