question #1

[tatumzeller]

1. We are not always responsible for our own beliefs and behaviors. I think it is very obvious that Mr. Clutter had a major influence on his children. Nancy is a popular, well liked, well rounded very smart girl who would do anything to help someone. Kennon is a well rounded person as well along with the other siblings. Kids are very impressionable especially when greatness is expected of them which I think it shows in how the Clutter children was raised. They were raised in a happy home with high expectations. They never really had the choice to act out as most teens do because all they have ever been around is there father who had a major influence on them. Mr. Clutter had a zero tolerance for drinking and it is obvious that he has power in the small town that they lived in. Because of this, all of his employees would never dare to drink, as well as his kids. Thats what I mean when I say we don't always have the choice with our beliefs and behaviors because family has a huge influence in ones life and Nancy and Kennon know better than to drink or behave any different than what there father expects of them. 

[maddieroy]

I agree. In my response i made a similar analysis in which I stated that the means of how one was raised is completely out of their hands. If they are raised without the knowledge of "Right or Wrong" then that is not their fault. You made a good point with the Clutter family and the way they were raised was of good faith and Mr. Clutter, specifically, was very influential in their household and the town in general. In regards to the question; WHEN are we not responsible for our beliefs? well, it's the times where what we have learned dictates what actions we make, and sometimes what we learn is in innocence.

[madalynwiefering]

I disagree with the statement that we are not responsible for our beliefs and behaviors. In my answer, I stated that our societies ideals of morals and ethics have a set standard in our governments laws. For example, our government laws state that it is illegal and immoral to murder someone. In the case in "In Cold Blood," Perry, the murder understands that what he is doing is wrong and he is extremely nervous about it. Like Truman Capote's parents, Perry's parents killed themselves. Perry, understood the laws, but chose to make the decisions that he made while still understanding the ethnically wrong aspects of the situation. Capote understood the government laws (societal moralistic ideals) as well, but respected and followed them on his own will.