Personal Review

Blog Topic # 5 Personal Review

            Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood was truly a spectacular novel. It is the only real crime story I have read. Capote manages to fit in a great detail of writing in the novel. It does not overwhelm one but it actually provides a better picture. Capote stays true to the story and as terrifying as it is, it is necessary to fully show the extent of the murders and the cases. Capote also follows the life of the two murderers as they try to escape their fate. This provides an essential part to the story that give information as to why they were who they were. There wasn’t too much to dislike in this book overall and I have no complaints about the book. I think one of the most significant parts of this book was the drawing of the line of sanity and insanity. It really made me think about how sanity affects a person’s morals and decisions.

Text Connections

Blog Topic # 4 Text Connections

            This novel presents one of the many questions proposed in some court cases. The line between the sanity and insanity of a person is hard to draw. In this case, both were convicted under the M’Naghten Rule and later executed. This particular case found much opposition while they were still on Death Row and even after it. One of the biggest cases similar to this concerned former president Teddy Roosevelt. John Schrank was found to be insane and placed in an asylum after giving rather unusual reasons for the murder. On the contrary a man by the name of John Hinckley who murdered Ronald Reagan supposedly to impress Jodie Foster was in fact acquitted. There was great opposition and most states tightened the insanity-plea including the Insanity Defense Reform Act. To me, it is difficult holding up laws and regulations to those that may indeed fail to understand good and bad. Unfortunately it is an ongoing debate and is difficult to truly judge morals of a given person.

Syntax

Blog Topic Syntax #3

·         “And he said that was what came to mind when he saw the crowd on the square. The man being torn apart. And the idea so bad his stomach hurt. Which was why he couldn’t eat.” ( 253).

These short sentences are used to show the level of writing of Perry Smith, one of the killers. The statements mimic that of his speech. Smith being found with mental illness later on shows his rudimentary speaking level. The periods convey rather long and unneeded pauses in Smith’s speech.

·         “ I didn’t want to harm the man. I thought he was a very nice gentleman. Soft-spoken. I thought so right up to the moment I cut his throat” (244).

One of the most iconic moments in the book; Perry talks about the murder. Again showing his mental illness and trouble with speech. These terse and telegraphic sentence also, maybe unintentionally, add to the suspense and drama. Furthermore it shows his lack of judgment during that time, nonetheless both of the accused were still found guilty even with much of the opposition.

·         “ ‘She said, Oh no! Oh, please. No! No! No! No! Don’t! Oh please don’t! Please!’”

These were the chilling words of Nancy, only 16 at the time, daughter of Herb and Bonnie Clutter. Her disparity is shown with the repetition, exclamation, and terse statements. Truly horrible and even these words give a chilling sense to the readers.

Diction

Blog Topic #2 Diction

            Capote styles his writing so that comparisons make one side of the spectrum seem that much more extreme. Capote commonly juxtaposes the good and evil present. Again, Capote begins writing things that are good and suddenly when incorporates the evil. In Miami Beach “the row of little stucco-and-cement hotels lining a white, melancholy street” (199) serves as one of the settings. The beach even includes an ice cream stand where they serve ‘Valentine Ice-Cream’. However it is also the location of the two killers Dick and Perry. Capote creates a peaceful tone but harshly interrupts it with the uneasy feeling of murder brought about both Dick and Perry.

Being a book about a murder, Capote would need to handle the severity of the case in a professional manner. When describing the images of the victims prior to the murder, Capote uses words such as “meek” “frightened” and “without any premonition of their destiny” for Dewey’s vision (240). Horror is created in this powerful vision and also advances a sense of compassion in his detailing.

When describing Dick’s account, Capote sees “the prospect of so idyllic an interim added to the inspired stealth with which he whetted his wire, filed it to a limber stiletto fineness” (263). Capote finds Dick’s account rather amusing and intriguing. Capote mocks Dick with sarcasm and almost lightens up the mood.

Rhetorical Strategies

Blog Topic #1 Rhetorical Strategies

“Institutional dourness and cheerful domesticity coexist on the fourth floor of the Finney County Courthouse” (251).

This paradox is one of many of Capote’s prime examples of irony. The county jail and the Sheriff’s Residence account for the coexistence. However, a jail cell and a law enforcement center would, without a doubt, be a cause for tension. Capote uses irony all throughout the book which underplays the severity of the murder of the Clutter family. Often, he describes something as beautiful but is found to be shrouded in darkness.

“Confined as he was by the M’Naghten Rule” (298).

To develop ethos, Capote includes many of the formalities found in law. This gives him credibility and adds to his sophistication. Capote creates a formal style in which he uses a variety of sources to further his observations such as including “The American Journal of Psychiatry” (298). Capote truly wants to be taken as a serious observer, tantalizing every detail available to him. This style led to the entitlement of a ‘true crime’ non-fiction book.

“The depot itself, with its peeling sulphur-colored paint, is equally melancholy…Up on the highway, there are two filling stations, one of which doubles as a meagerly supplied grocery store, while the other does extra duty as a café–Hartman’s Café, where Mrs. Hartman, the proprietress, dispenses sandwiches, coffee, soft drinks, and 3.2 beer” (4).

Again, Capote seeks to act professional and keep that crime mentality. The picturesque imagery also serves to make the murder all that more grotesque and horrible. Capote commonly incorporates the scene in his book often remarking the natural beauty and the sometimes frightening serenity.