In "In Cold Blood," the non-fiction novel by Truman Capote, the relationship between law and morality is a central theme. The book tells the story of the murder of a family in Kansas, and the subsequent investigation, trial, and execution of the two men convicted of the crime. Throughout the book, Capote raises questions about the nature of justice and the role of the law in upholding morality. He explores the ways in which the legal system is designed to uphold certain moral principles, such as the idea that people should be held accountable for their actions and that punishment should be proportionate to the crime. However, Capote also suggests that the law is not always able to fully capture the complexity of moral issues and that sometimes …show more content…
The book is divided into four parts, each of which focuses on a different aspect of the case. Part I, "The Last to See Them Alive," provides background information on the victims and the crime. Part II, "Persons Unknown," details the investigation and arrest of the suspects. Part III, "An Asteroid in Human Form," examines the trial and conviction of the men. Part IV, "The Corner," covers the final days leading up to the execution of Smith and Hickock. The book also includes several interludes, which provide additional context and background information. For example, one interlude focuses on the Kansas City Star newspaper and its coverage of the case, while another discusses the evolution of the American criminal justice system. Overall, the structure of In Cold Blood is designed to provide a comprehensive and engaging account of the events surrounding the murder of the Clutter family. It was initially intended for a general audience of readers interested in true crime stories. The book's author, Truman Capote, was a well-known and highly respected writer, so it likely also appealed to fans of his work. Since its publication, In Cold Blood has become a literary classic and is widely studied in schools, so it now has a broader audience that includes …show more content…
Irony appears in several different forms in Truman Capote's book "In Cold Blood." The contrast between the idyllic and tranquil surroundings of Holcomb, Kansas, and the terrible and violent crimes that occur there is one way that irony is used in the book. A place where "nothing much ever happened" and "even the skies seemed to be a part of the great peacefulness" is how the village of Holcomb is characterised. This tranquil atmosphere, however, is destroyed by the savage murder of the Clutter family, which stands in stark contrast to the town's tranquillity. The difference between the characters' expectations and the actuality of their behaviour is another way that irony is used in the book. Perry Smith, for instance, is shown as a sensitive and creative young man who adores music and literature, yet he is also capable of carrying out horrible acts of violence. Similar to the Clutter family, who are ultimately the victims of a senseless and terrible crime despite being hailed as models of respectability and decency for the middle class. Overall, "In Cold Blood" makes use of irony to highlight the random and frequently arbitrary nature of crime and bloodshed and to comment on the capacity of humans for both good and