How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
After he graduated from high school—June, 1949—he wanted to go on to college. Study to be an engineer. But we couldn't do it. Never had any money. (3.19)
This is our first look at Dick's thwarted plan to go to college—we wonder if after that, he decided it wasn't worth planning past the next "score." Anyway, do you think he'd be able to keep it together enough to finish college?
Quote #8
Strong character, high courage, hard work—it seemed that none of these were a determining factor in the fates of Tex John's children. They shared a doom against which virtue was no defense. (3.133)
Here's Perry's sister, reflecting on the psychological problems that eventually killed two of her siblings. She seems to say that all their talent and hard work amounted to nothing because they were doomed by their family background, or as we'd say today, victims of their DNA.
Quote #9
Hot islands and buried gold, diving deep in fire-blue seas toward sunken treasure—such dreams were gone. Gone, too was "Perry O'Parsons," the name invented for the singing sensation of stage and screen that he'd half-seriously hoped someday to be. […] He and Dick were "running a race without a finish line"—that was how it struck him. (3.210)
We could argue about whether Capote's laying it on a bit thick here, plus it would be a lot more heartbreaking if Perry hadn't slaughtered four innocent people. But Perry feels they're nearing the end of the line, even if Dick doesn't. They're off yet again, to "nowhere definite" (3.210) with twenty-seven dollars to their name. Things are really falling apart for them by this time.