...In Cold Blood Character Analysis Essay Perry Smith Is one born a murderer or does one become a murderer? That is the question that Truman Capote tackles in his non-fiction novel In Cold Blood. In his 1966 novel Capote relates in detail the true and horrific murders of four members of the Clutter family in 1959 in the town of Holcomb, Kansas, but more specifically focuses on the murderers, Perry Smith and Dick Hickock, and their motivation to commit such a cold blooded crime. Out of the two, Perry Smith is the most complex character who displays a natural ability to kill, but who also has been shaped to become a murderer, making a more “likable” character than his co-murderer Dick Hickock. In the first part of his novel entitled The Last to See Them Alive, Capote gives the reader hints that Perry Smith is indeed born a natural killer. When he was jailed in the Kansas penitentiary “Perry described a murder, telling how simply for the hell of it," he had killed a colored man in Las Vegas - beaten him to death with a bicycle chain” (Capote 54). After hearing the story his future partner in crime Dick Hickock “became convinced that Perry was that rarity, "a natural killer" - absolutely sane, but conscienceless, and capable of dealing, with or without motive, the coldest-blooded deathblows” (Capote 55). Perry Smith certainly proved to be “that rarity” when he cold bloodedly killed with a single shot in the head Nancy, Kenyon, Bonnie Clutter, and cut Herb Clutter’s throat...
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...In the nonfiction novel In Cold Blood by Truman Capote, Capote uses many nonfiction and fiction elements, such as fabricating certain situations to engage the reader further. Although the novel seems to be biased at times, Capote appears to use this technique along with others to create a journalistic novel that allows the reader develop his own opinion on its characters. This is caused by Capote’s use of evidence, which derived from the significant amount of research he did of which included interviews, reports, and facts, all from many resources. This creates, for the most part, a reliable and accurate account of the famous Clutter family murder. This also causes the reader to feel many emotions throughout the novel, such as empathy for the...
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...Although Capote portrays Perry as childlike, calm, and gentle in sections one and two, he complicates his personality, making Perry appear as the more brutal of the two men; therefore, illustrating that there can be many layers to one's personality. Capote uses amplification in order to exaggerate Perry´s ability to manipulate. Two inspectors visit Perry´s sister, Mrs. Johnson, in order to interview her about her brother. She tells the inspectors not to give Perry her address because she is afraid of him. The inspectors ask if she is afraid he might harm her physically, and she responds with: ¨´But I'm afraid of him. I always have been. He can seem to warm-hearterted and sympathetic. Gentle. He cries so easily. Sometimes music sets him off, and when he was a little boy he used to cry because he thought a sunset was beautiful. Or the moon. Oh, he can fool you. He can make you feel so sorry for him--¨ (Capote 182). Leading up to this interview, Capote repeatedly illustrates how Dick is a monster compared to Perry, and portrays the idea that Perry has potential to be good. However, the way Mrs. Johnson describes Perry and exaggerates how he can come off as warm-hearted and kind, is similar to the way he appears in section one and two. As more details of Perry are revealed, he is presented in a manipulative way, just as Mrs. Johnson states. This illustrates the idea that one can have many different aspects to their personality, until you get to know them well enough. In order to...
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...In the book, In Cold Blood, the author, Truman Capote, utilizes rhetorical strategies such as ethos, pathos, and literary elements to create a suspenseful story, which ultimately contributes to his central argument that criminals are not always inherently evil. Capote persuades his audience by empathizing for both of the Clutter family murderers, Perry Smith and Dick Hickock, in part three of the book, “Answer”. In this case, Capote describes both Clutter murderers in a sympathetic and impartial way, and portray them as sensitive, thoughtful, creative, and highly intelligent people. This in turn, gives the reader a feeling of empathy for Perry and Dick. First, in order to establish his credibility and trustworthiness (ethos) throughout the entire narrative of the Clutter murder case and the Clutter murderers, Truman Capote uses interviews and letters from a...
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...Analysis of Truman Capote’s Purpose and Language in “In Cold Blood” Truman Capote, author of “In Cold Blood” wrote this book, like most authors, for the entertainment of others, but he has created a new genre, true crime. This wasn’t his intended purpose but it was the start to crime drama. If Capote didn’t write this crime entertainment wouldn’t be the same. This novel was different than anything ever done before, making this genre more appealing to consumers creating a feedback loop expanding the industry. His actions are clearly effective through the strong evidence of crime drama in today’s society. This new genre let readers ‘get into the mind’ of the criminals which is appealing to the average person. A backstory doesn’t justify...
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...In this excerpt from Truman Capote’s, In Cold Blood, he explores multiple perspectives of the village of Holcomb in great detail. He accomplishes this through the use of imagery to provide his readers with a visual representation of what can be seen in the village. Throughout the excerpt, readers are overwhelmed with a great use of diction that creates a detailed image of Capote’s description. As an author, he does an exceptional job of describing each element he comes across in the village. When writing about the scenery around, he describes the countryside “...with its hard blue skies and desert-clear air” and “The land is flat, and the views are awesomely extensive...” Even though he says there is not much to see, he still achieves an in...
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...bTanea Savage Preliminary Thesis: Truman Capote’s “In Cold Blood” conveys true crime and the portrayal of the killers. Throughout the novel, Perry and Dick are transformed from heartless, cold-blooded monsters, whose actions seem to be motiveless evil, into the troubled, pitiful, and human individuals they are at the end of the book. The crime itself is reduced to many emotional responses. Preliminary Bibliography Capote, Truman. In Cold Blood: Random House. Alan. U. Schwartz. New York, 1965. Print. ------------------------------------------------- Primary Source Corregido, Jeronimo. "A Study of Genre in In Cold Blood: A Formal Perspective." A Study of Genre in “In Cold Blood”: A Formal Perspective. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Jan. 2015:Academia.edu. swales, john. M. Massachusetts, 1990. Cambridge University. ------------------------------------------------- This essay conveys the death and crime which the book portrays. This relates to my primary source, “In Cold Blood” which portrays sudden death and crime upon the family. "In Cold Blood :: Character Analysis, Perry Smith. "In Cold Blood :: Character Analysis, Perry Smith. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Jan. 2015. ------------------------------------------------- This essay “Cold Blood” shows the traumatic story from the killers’ perspective. It also conveys how the killers’ background effected how they proceeded in life. Hemingway, Ernest. "Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway Study Guide: “The Killers” Summary and Analysis...
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...bTanea Savage Preliminary Thesis: Truman Capote’s “In Cold Blood” conveys true crime and the portrayal of the killers. Throughout the novel, Perry and Dick are transformed from heartless, cold-blooded monsters, whose actions seem to be motiveless evil, into the troubled, pitiful, and human individuals they are at the end of the book. The crime itself is reduced to many emotional responses. Preliminary Bibliography Capote, Truman. In Cold Blood: Random House. Alan. U. Schwartz. New York, 1965. Print. ------------------------------------------------- Primary Source Corregido, Jeronimo. "A Study of Genre in In Cold Blood: A Formal Perspective." A Study of Genre in “In Cold Blood”: A Formal Perspective. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Jan. 2015:Academia.edu. swales, john. M. Massachusetts, 1990. Cambridge University. ------------------------------------------------- This essay conveys the death and crime which the book portrays. This relates to my primary source, “In Cold Blood” which portrays sudden death and crime upon the family. "In Cold Blood :: Character Analysis, Perry Smith. "In Cold Blood :: Character Analysis, Perry Smith. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Jan. 2015. ------------------------------------------------- This essay “Cold Blood” shows the traumatic story from the killers’ perspective. It also conveys how the killers’ background effected how they proceeded in life. Hemingway, Ernest. "Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway Study Guide: “The Killers” Summary and Analysis...
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...In the non-fiction novel In Cold Blood, Truman Capote (1965) gives his own narrative of the Holcomb tragedy in which a family of four living out on a secluded farm were slaughtered with a shotgun by the collaboration of two individuals for a seemingly few dollars. In this novel, Capote gives a thorough character description of the two murderers, Richard Hickock and Perry Smith, as he recreates their experience (much as he sees it as it would be from their eyes). He gives accounts preceding the event, through it, and eventually into their trial and execution. From the descriptions Capote provides, a psychological analysis of the mental states of Hickock and Smith can be asserted. Richard Hickock can be seen as possessing significant traits of psychopathy, while his partner Perry Smith is seen with traits similar to that of a life-course persistent offender. Through the described personality characteristics and brief histories of Hickock and Smith, this essay will address this assertion with the two in question as individuals themselves, within their relationship to each other, and also as other characters see and analyze their psychological well being. The reader gets to “know” Perry Smith very well throughout the novel and acquires the sense that Capote feels sympathetic to his situation as compared to that of Hickock. Smith, introduced as much the loner type, is described by the narrator and the character Smith himself (in a letter to a psychiatrist) as growing up in a low...
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...Fabiola Rocha-Negrete Mr. Alkire English 1A, Sat. Class 27 October 2012 Banning Books Portraying Violence How much can a book that portrays violence affect a high school student? It can affect a student in many ways. In fact, it has more impact when a student reads a book that portrays violence than violent video games or movies. Rebecca Dawkins’s essay “Why Banning Books Isn’t Always Bad” discusses how many “concerned group of parents regularly pressure school boards to keep controversial classics out of the classroom” because of the violence and immoral values they portray for underage students. Books like “Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (about three young women who abuse drugs to escape the pressures of show business); The Godfather by Mario Puzo (about the Italian-American mafia); and In Cold Blood by Truman Capote (about two real-life mass murderers)” are what should be kept out of high schools because those types of books for students who are exposed to the everyday dangers of drugs, gangs, and violence in schools make it seem okay in these books. Dawkins goes further on explaining how many high school teachers, including herself, agree with parents in the sense that these books are not age appropriate to be taught in a high school classroom especially in a setting where all of these issues are present everyday. I totally agree with Rebecca Dawkins that high school students would not relate to most characters in controversial books, teachers have no time...
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...Truman Capote’s non-fiction novel, In Cold Blood, was a breakthrough in literacy in that it was accredited as the first non-fiction novel. There was a lot of controversy when the book was first published because of the incredibility of the work. This could be expected in that time, because people where not familiar with the concept of non-fiction novels yet, but this is where the beauty of this style of writing lies, the recreation of the truth. It would have been impossible for Capote to have documented the occurrence fully, because he only read about the murder after it had happen, after all, this was not what he wanted to do. Capote got a lot of criticism for the book, because of him bending the truth, putting in scenes that never happened and his ways of gathering information, but people still saw the talent that went into creating the non-fiction novel. Truman Capote will forever be recognized for this novel and the contribution he made to literacy. In this essay we will be discussing the strengths and weaknesses of In Cold Blood when it delivers facts and the credibility of the work. We will also be discussing the strengths and weaknesses of the novel when Capote bends reality and ad some parts of fiction. Capote never intended for In Cold Blood to be a documentary of the multiple murder that happened in the small town of Holcomb. When Capote published his novel, people where not familiar with non-fiction novels. People knew of the murders that had happened and started...
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...Comparison Essay- Barbara’s letter In the extract from ‘In Cold Blood’, Capote uses metaphors to express the views of Barbara, writing to her brother Perry from San Francisco. She highlights her disappointment surrounding the events but says she’s willing to forgive him. “It’s no shame to have a dirty face, the shame comes when you keep it dirty” the adjective ‘dirty’ is used as a metaphor representing the sins and actions of Perry. She pointed out that she wasn’t too pleased with Perry’s actions, which had eventually ended him in prison. She was also aware that her criticism to him was going to result in resentment and actually thought of what could possibly happen “Not to hear from you at all or a letter telling me exactly what you think of me.” Barbara loved Perry dearly but was angry at him at the same time, and that was the driving force of this passionate letter. Again she wanted Perry to know about her feelings towards him and also to see things from someone’s point of view. She often admitted her faults and weaknesses as human and in the same way she urged Perry that he should take full responsibility of his actions and shouldn’t blame his dad for any wrong doing. “i truthfully believe none of us can take the blame” the adjective ‘truthfully’ reminds us that Barbara is showing her feelings towards what has happened and is speaking very openly with Perry, giving him an acknowledgement of her thoughts and feelings. Perry’s inabilities to show signs of sincere regret...
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...Informative Essay Name Date Soda Pop It is a beautiful summer day. You are out by the pool enjoying some hot dogs and hamburgers with your family. Mom passes you an ice cold coca cola to wash down the food you just shoved down your throat. No big deal right? Most people don’t know how dangerous drinking soda can actually be. As children we grow up drinking soda with every meal not really worrying about the side effects or the damage it has on our bodies. In most families soda is the norm. It tastes good, therefore it is good. Soda can do some very horrid damage to your teeth that you would not be able to imagine. Some researchers say that as soon as the first three minutes of consumption soda can be as destructive to your teeth as drinking battery fluid (Dentistry.net). So what actually happens when we put coca cola into our bodies? I’ll tell you. In the first ten minutes of drinking one can of coke 10 teaspoons of sugar enter your system. One can of Coke alone has enough sugar to fulfill the FDA’s recommended daily intake. Ten minutes later your blood sugar rises creating a boost in insulin. By the fortieth minute the caffeine in the drink is fully absorbed causing your pupils to dilate and your blood pressure to rise. At this point the brain has blocked your adenosine receptors, preventing drowsiness (Meredith). Caffeine is a highly addictive drug that most people use to wake them up and get a little boost of energy when feeling tired. Consuming too much caffeine can...
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... The Great Gatsby In Cold Blood The Road The Handmaid’s Tale Love Medicine Catcher in the Rye Moby Dick Beloved In the coming month, reading your novel in its entirety, taking notes and annotating throughout. Complete the following assignments: 1) Response Paper; in this one to two page essay, you will write a personal response to your author and his/her work. Your response should address these questions (at a minimum): Why did you choose this particular author and work? What is intriguing about their style? What themes does the work address? Would you read any other work by this author? This assignment will be due on FEBRUARY 16th, 2012. 2) AP Argumentative Essay Question; you will need to compose an AP-style argumentative essay prompt for your novel. This is a question you would likely see on an actual AP English Language Exam. Have question TYPED and submitted by FEBRUARY 17th, 2012. 3) AP Argumentative Essay. You will compose an AP argumentative essay on the prompt that you created and that I approved. This assignment will be due on March 1st, 2012. 4) AP Rhetorical Analysis Essay question; you will need to compose an AP-style rhetorical analysis essay prompt for your novel. This is a question you would likely see on an actual AP English Language Exam. Have question TYPED and submitted by March 8th, 2011. 5) AP Rhetorical Analysis Essay. You will compose an AP rhetorical analysis essay on the prompt that you created...
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...Modern Culture’s Fascination with the Undead LE 300 Integrative & Interdisciplinary Learning Capstone This essay begins by exploring the origins of the undead, and how these monsters became so popular to pop culture in recent years. I will explore the beginnings of vampire lore, as well as the mythology associated with zombies. I will also go into depth on the various literary identities that the two have produced throughout this generation. The essay will continue with a discussion on the most recent and ever so popular vampire films Twilight and “Let me in” and the TV series True Blood and why the latest X and Y generations seems to lack the fear people once had of these blood thirsty creatures. I will also discuss several of the most recent Zombie movies and how they’ve changed over the last two decades. Although zombie literature does not frequent the shelves of libraries and book stores, as do vampire literature. There is a zombie fiction novel written in 2006 called World War Z by Max Brooks, which became an immediate hit and a New York Times bestseller. Brooks had also authored the cult hit “The Zombie Survival Guide”, an exhaustively researched, zombie-themed parody of pop-fiction survival guide. I will also include sources indicating the US Government’s interest in zombie fiction and how the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has made use of this pop culture phenomenon to better inform the public on disaster preparation. In my conclusion...
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