Essential Question #2: Are we born with a set path?

[Sarah Hoffmann]

"In Cold Blood" has developed a plot involving a question that humans have not yet found the answer to. A question that has been a part of people's lives forever is whether or not we are born with a set path that no matter what we do, we are always doing what has been planned for us. In the novel, Perry explains to Dick after the murder that, "Once a thing is set to happen, all you can do is hope it wont. Or will- depending. As long as you live, there's always something waiting, and even if it's bad, what can you do?" (92). By saying this, Perry is supporting the idea that before we were born, a path is set for us and everything in our lives is part of that specific plan. This idea would show that Perry believed killing the Clutters was part of his life plan, and because of this, he had no way of going a different direction and veering off his path of destiny.

I believe that our lives are not based on a path decided for us. I believe we are products of our choices and actions throughout our lives. If Peyton Manning never picked up a football and tossed it around in the yard, he would never have become and NFL star that he is today. I believe that we are born with the ability and potential to become something in our future, but what we become is decided by how we live our lives and what experiences we go through. I believe that people in our lives are also a major influence on us. Someone could be born with the potential to be the next gold medalist in swimming, but if their parents never introduce them to a pool, then they are unable to fulfill a gift they were born with. Outside influences impact the roads we take throughout life, and assist in creating who we are in the future.

[brennapayne]

I somewhat disagree with you. I believe that our lives are based in fate and that our future is predetermined. However, I also feel that we possess the power to choose between letting fate play out or taking matters into our own hands which, in turn, alters fate. I believe that although our lives our predetermined, our destinies are not inevitable or irresistible. the choices that we make everyday, shape the destinies and future of all.

I also like how Capote continues this idea of fate or destiny through many of Perry's thoughts and actions. Perry's belief that he cannot control the outcomes of the events he encounters is shown through his constant fear of being caught. He repeatedly informs Dick of this fear, validating it with his "premonition" that the pair are not in the clear and will be punished for their crime. Perry's snake nightmare also reinforces this feeling of helplessness. Perry knows that the snake is going to attack him, but he cannot stop it; it is out of his control; it is inevitable.

[sethfrost]

I agree with Sarah and I disagree with Brenna. I believe that we make our own future, we shape it with our actions and the only thing that is predetermined is our death, but we still never know when or how we will die. Every action that we make shapes who we are and the life we will live. Nothing is set in stone.

[sophicalhoun]

I agree with Brenna. Our paths may certainly be limited by our upbringing, gender, status, etc, but we are still able to control our lives through our decisions. However, it would be easy to argue that people can easily break out of those boundaries to achieve their goals. (Truman vs. Perry, to relate to the text.