Little Caesar · Chapter
VI explained
Rico is introduced as a vain and simple man who loves only himself, his hair, and his gun, as he meticulously combs his hair in front of a mirror.
What happens
Rico is introduced as a vain and simple man who loves only himself, his hair, and his gun, as he meticulously combs his hair in front of a mirror.
Themes in this chapter
Masculinity and Violence
Rico's love for his gun alongside his hair suggests a link between his masculine identity and violent capability.
Characters to notice
- Rico
Rico is shown grooming his hair with an ivory pocket comb, highlighting his vanity and self-absorption.
Key passages
“Rico was standing in front of his mirror, combing his hair with a little ivory pocket comb. Rico was vain of his hair. It was black and lustrous, combed straight back from his low forehead and arranged in three symmetrical waves. Rico was a simple man. He loved but three things: himself, his hair and his gun. He took excellent care of all three.”
Rico stands before a mirror, using a small ivory comb to style his black, glossy hair into three even waves. He is proud of his appearance and has only three loves: himself, his hair, and his gun, all of which he maintains meticulously.
This passage establishes Rico's vanity and his core values, emphasizing his self-centeredness and the importance of his weapon.