Inevitable Predilections In Truman Capote's In Cold Blood

Halle Conroy

Mrs. Pope

Honors 10 English

19 May 2016

Inevitable Predilections (Prompt 12)

Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood renders the Clutters as eminent, moderately wealthy, well-rounded citizens - an exemplary Kansan Family. Capote immerses readers in a quotidian world by engulfing each line with minutiae such as the idiosyncrasy each antagonist possesses, the Clutter family’s German beginnings, and a comprehensive description of Bonnie’s “little spells.” In Cold Blood begins as an annal of the illustrious, a narrative emanating from the premise that fact is more compelling than fiction. Through a genre of his own, Truman Capote amalgamates his predilections into truthful text despite an attempt to remain distant from the book in order

Though it appears the author’s intent was to create an objective chronicle of both Dick and Perry, much of In Cold Blood’s fascination embodies an analysis of complementary and polar personalities. Capote indubitably relates to Perry presumably due to the fact that he recognizes him as a diminutive derelict with an embellished vocabulary. Smith, for example, had “two thick notebooks,...which constituted his personal dictionary… (Sample Page; ‘Thanatoid = deathlike; Nescient = ignorance…’)” (Capote 90). Because Capote and Smith share a ravenous thirst for knowledge, the author’s homosexual tendencies are not the sole purpose of his relation to Perry. Additionally, while Capote never objects explicitly to Smith’s execution, his favorable conception of Smith manifests itself through the author’s commiserative characterization of Smith compared to his acerbic evaluation of Hickock. He says “‘Get the bubbles out of your blood. Nothing can go wrong.’ No Because the plan was Dick’s from the first footfall to final silence, flawlessly devised” (Capote 120). Though Capote rarely, if at all, explicitly disparages Hickock or laudates Perry, his tone and overall construction of the book subtly undermine the reader’s morals, subsequently leading them to sympathize for Perry. Through Capote’s exquisite diction and use of phrases such as “flawlessly devised,” he befittingly portrays Hickock’s lack of remorse . Out of context, the words themselves suggest Dick was a satisfactory deviser, however, upon closer inspection, Capote’s disparaging tone shines through, enabling the reader to discern Dick’s impenitent actions, establishing Perry as the more humane of the two. Due to Hickock’s callous personality and Capote’s admiration for Perry, the author’s difficulty masking his contempt for Dick invokes a seeping bias,