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Rhetorical Devices In Truman Capote's In Cold Blood

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In his book, In Cold Blood, Truman Capote utilizes several rhetorical devices and strategies in pages 246-248 in order to establish a theme for the fourth section of the book, The Corner, and in order to properly end the third section, The Answer. Capote uses metaphor, diction, and tone shift in order to provide a comparison for Dick and Perry, to most effectively transition into the last section of the book, and to establish a grim and dismal mood. Capote uses an extended and extremely detailed metaphor in the first paragraph of page 246 with his reference to the tomcats. “Among Garden City’s Animals are two gray tomcats who are always together ―thin, dirty strays with strange and clever habits(246). This perfects relates to the personalities of Dick and Perry in …show more content…

Capote uses this choice of words to establish a setting and paint a picture in the reader's mind of what Capote truly wants them to see and to expand on the grim and dismal mood that the readers feel throughout the entire passage. He uses many tone words like, slapped, pruned, stamped, cursing, and numbed as tone words to shift the mood of the reader to the depressing mood that Capote intends for the readers to feel and to help provide vivid imagery for the readers. These words are used to help Capote and help the readers understand what is happening in the passage with detail and with a unique perspective. In conclusion, Truman Capote effectively uses rhetorical devices such as metaphor, imagery, and diction to contribute to the shift from the third section of In Cold Blood to the fourth and final section and to pride a grim and dismal mood for the readers throughout this entire passage. Without the use of these devices, the transition would be much more difficult to understand and Capote did a phenomenal job of making it as clear as possible to all who read this

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Ariana Holsten Koshellek CAPP English 1/26/2023 Truman Capote's "In Cold Blood" is a masterful example of how the use of various rhetorical strategies and stylistic devices can effectively convey the mood and setting of a novel. Throughout the book, Capote employs several techniques that effectively convey the mood of the story, which is one of intense sadness, fear, and horror. One of the key rhetorical strategies used by Capote is imagery. He uses vivid, descriptive language to paint a picture of the setting and atmosphere in which the story takes place.

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Everybody has desires that constantly weigh over their heads, pushing them to be diligent in all their endeavors, but what would you do if you knew that one day you would no longer have the opportunity to fulfill these desires? Everybody lives their lives so focused on the end goal that they are oblivious to the world around them, and the sad part is that in some cases the end goal is unattainable or never reached because the person dies. In In Cold Blood, Truman Capote utilizes symbolism and descriptive diction to tell his readers Perry’s wants and wishes. Throughout this subchapter the reader is able to learn more about how Perry feels in the moments after the Clutter family murder. The reader learns that Perry wishes he was loved by others

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Throughout In Cold Blood, Truman Capote hints at his own opinion of the death penalty, yet lets the readers decide for themselves what they believe Hickock and Smith's punishment should have been. When the murderers are being hanged, a conversation occurs between a reporter and an investigator about what it might feel like to be hanged: "'They don't feel nothing. Drop, snap, and that's it. They don't feel nothing.' ' Are you sure?

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Truman Capote uses variety of language devices to vividly develop Perry Smith in his novel In Cold Blood. These language devices include, diction, similes and symbolism. Throughout the novel diction is used to develop Perry Smith’s character, and suggest reasons for the murder. When Smith explains what happened that night at the Clutter’s family home, he tells agent Alvin Dewey about his moment with Nancy Clutter.

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Facts and Fiction: A Manipulation of Language in Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood English is a fascinating and riveting language. Subtle nuances and adjustments can easily change the understanding of a literary work—a technique many authors employ in order to evoke a desired response from their readers. This method is used especially in In Cold Blood by Truman Capote, a literary work which details a true event about the murders of four members of the Clutter family in the small community of Holcomb, Kansas, in 1959. Although Capote’s 1966 book was a bestseller nonfiction and had successfully garnered acclaim for its author, there is still a great deal of confusion about the distinction between the factual and fictional aspects in the book.

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