Capote's View Of Journalism And Non Fiction

In the 1960’s in Kansas specifically in Holcomb, the town was small and very connected to one another. The town was considered the outskirts of Kansas when it was asked about to other Kansans. The people who lived in Holcomb were regular church goers and took a liking into farming. When you looked across the town all you could see were cornfields. The murders changed the way the people of the town felt, the doors were always locked and braced because what those two men did was create a sense of vulnerability in each person's mind. The murder changed the population of Holcomb, tourists were visiting wanting to see the murder house, the prison where the suspects were being held. These deaths brought unwanted attention to this town. The people

Capote discussed his work and theories for the book with other authors and writers but they were all very unsympathetic saying that it was a waste of his imagination. Many other authors viewed journalism and non-fiction as a waste because many more of them would prefer to write and make up their own creative story than report what someone else has done. “First-class creative writers have ever bothered with journalism, except as a sideline.” (Plimpton) Capote interviewed with many reporters taking interest in why he felt that he needed to write the first non fiction novel. Capote explained that he picked to write this because he knew he had to pick a topic that would allow him to take time and do research for about 3-5 years. The murder stood out because, “ murder was a theme not likely to darken and yellow with time.”(Plimpton) Another factor in Capote’s choice of writing this book was the fear and nerves he accumulated in having to travel thousands of miles to a unknown town that just suffered gruesome murders. Normally this would deter other authors but he felts that he could solve this with the help of the community and the support from one of his best friends Harper Lee. Capote managed to uncover the psychology of the two mass murderers through interviews with them and with other figures of this grim case, and depicted complex

Parents worried it glorified murder and why certain motives have enough power and support to be seen as acceptable for murder to be the solution. This book was not obviously viewed the same by the author and the parents. “Teens are already overly exposed to violence via video games, television, and movies.” (O’Neil) Before the judge decides on if they will be sentenced to it Capote explores both sides to it, he explains how people of the community supported it because of the gruesome way the Clutter’s had to die since they were all bounded and either shot in the head or slit in the throat. The other side would be that they already killed four people and that would be enough deaths for the town instead they could rot in jail for the rest of their lives. When the death penalty is decided on and both men are sentenced to it Capote is chosen to watch it. He describes in detail what it was going to be for the men and about his horrific sight he watched. The teachers saw this topic and the trial during the book to be helpful in explaining the judicial system as well as seeing one specific part of it the death pentacle and getting a real life story allowing them to form independent opinions while giving them and understanding of what really happens. Capote wrote in those extremely detailed images to not shelter