Truman Capote's In Cold Blood

“In Cold Blood” by Truman Capote is a true crime novel that follows Detective Alvin Dewey’s investigation into the murder of the Clutter family in Holcomb, Kansas. The requisite of this novel is the confusing and shocking nature of the crime, as there was seemingly no motive for it at first glance. The brutal nature of the crime delves into questions such as the debate of right vs. wrong, and explores subjects of morality, especially when it is combating components of human nature, while also touching on themes of the American Dream. The line of right vs wrong is seen as blurred, particularly in the case of the murder due to the extreme circumstances. Capote vividly portrays the antagonists/perpetrators people with complex upbringings and circumstances faced

He states that “there was this one nurse,” who would call Smith the n-word, stating that there is no difference between them and Indians. The nun used to “fill a tub with ice cold water, put [him] in it, and hold [him] under until [he] was blue.” Smith was also often seen “sucking his thumb and poring over them phony damn treasure guides.” Smith seems to be exhibiting signs of regression, a common coping mechanism often used to deal with severe trauma. Recognizing Smith’s traumatizing past complicates the situation, as it is no longer a clear-cut example of a man simply being a stone-cold killer. Although there is no excuse for his actions, Smith’s background provides much-needed information regarding his character and the crime. Capote has significant credibility with his inclusion of statements on the night of the murder, and information on the perpetrators’ childhoods, which allows the reader to further grasp the situation while adding a sense of a story as opposed to a simple retelling of events. Hickock’s interactions with the Clutter family on the night of the murder reflect his thoughts regarding the American