Quotes From In Cold Blood

Perry shows how much Dick means to him stating, “still, of everyone in all the world, this was the person to whom he was closest at that moment, for they at least were of the same species, brothers in the breed of Cain…” (Capote 258). This allusion deals with Cain, whom we know in the Bible for murdering his brother. Capote uses this reference to show the murderous connection between the two men.

The opening of the story focuses on the family and the murders traveling to Holcomb. Once meeting the family, several ironic moments imply bad things are about to happen to them. For example, when Mrs. Ashida says to Mr. Clutter, “I can't imagine you afraid. No matter what happened, you’d talk your way out of it” (Capote 36). This statement is

By organizing the novel, this way, the reader learns more about the criminals backgrounds and the complications that lead them to their arrest. Rather than allowing the reader to get attached to the victims of the crime, as most crime novels do, the reader becomes more attached to the murderers of the story. Personally, I felt more connected with the criminals. Smith and Hickock, than I ever did with the Clutter family. Throughout the story, the townspeople’s information only gives the reader a glimpse of the Clutter’s life. Furthermore, the entire book practically revolves around the lives of the criminals after this murder and follows them from the beginning of the crime to their death, while including backstory information. Capote could have steered this book in the direction of most crime stories, where the reader follows the story of the victims rather than the criminals. However, I believe Capote structures his story following the criminals because he was more affiliated with the offenders and their lives. He also wanted the audience to feel sympathy for the criminals something he could not do if he followed the Clutter family and structured the story differently. Similarly, Capote saves the description of the murders until the end of the novel to allow the reader to feel sympathy for the criminals. If he had described the details of the brutal murder at the beginning of

The two ideas contradict each other. To be objective means that one sticks to the facts and does not base anything on emotions or opinions. Capote demonstrates this with the use of the testimony throughout the novel. For example, the car ride with Dewey, Duntz, and Smith. Smith explains the events that unfolded before, during, and after the murder and even confesses to killing all of the family. Smith states, “I’m the one who killed them” (Capote 255). Another instance where Capote uses testimony is when Hickock tells the police, “Living witness! There can’t be!” This quote also displays an objective theme, because Capote incorporates evidence rather than opinions (223). However, even though Capote uses significant amounts of testimony throughout his story, once he reveals the criminals backstory, characters start to feel sympathy for one another. Having a subjective tone is when you focus more on feelings to persuade rather than the facts of the situation. For example, when Dewey finishes his first interviews Capote writes, “Dewey could not forget their sufferings” (246). Showing that Dewey and some of the other cops do feel sympathy for Hickock and Smith bring in the sympathetic tone to the book. Not only do the characters in the story become a bit sympathetic, but it also makes the reader feel sympathy for the characters as well. Most sympathy throughout the story aims at Smith, who had a