Truman Capote uses an epigraph carefully chosen, organization, non-authoritativeness, embellishment, research of the character’s background, and pathos to tell Dick Hickock’s and Perry Smith’s story in great depth while presenting his arguments against capital punishment.

Capote’s first verse in the book is a verse from Francois villon’s “Ballade des pendus”, written by Villon while he waited for execution on Death Row. Capote left the original French version, but translated it to “Men who will live after us/have your hearts not hardened towards us.” If you are pity towards us poor, God will be more merciful to you. The poem makes reference to religion, which is a major theme in the Clutters’ story and particularly Perry’s. Villon has an interesting backstory that is similar to Dick’s and Perry’s spree of crime. He killed a priest before going on the spree, stole money from a box, was arrested and sentenced to die for fighting, then murdered another priest. His sentence changed to 10 years banishment. Capote’s epigraph is a sneak peek at what the reader can expect, without giving any specifics. This is a good reference, because Villon and Clutter Killers both committed crimes that were similar but ended in very different ways.

In Cold Blood is very organized. Part One of In Cold Blood focuses on Dick and Perry’s soon-to be victims, the Clutters. However, Part Two does not include the murders but rather recounts events that occurred afterward. The book goes into detail about the exact circumstances of the murders. Capote’s masterful masterpiece is full of intentional details. Smith and Hickock’s trip to the “score” before the murder is described. Capote’s ability to make Dick and Perry human is not tainted because of the horrific actions they committed. The Clutters become a personification for the American Dream. They also provide details that help the readers better understand what happens later on in the novel. In Cold Blood was credited with being the first creative nonfiction. Capote can control the reader’s perception by using his literary technique in conjunction with real events.

Capote has chosen every element to be included in the narrative, and he chose them based upon how well they convinced the reader that he was right. But a strong stance is not taken. He mentions, for example, the doctor’s crying while Andrews “heart continued to beat for nineteen minute” (383). Capote’s reluctance to express an opinion is evident in the way he presents information. However, he does not state it explicitly. The reader is left to make their own decisions. Capote doesn’t have a dominant presence, which helps him to present himself as an outsider with unbiased opinions. He doesn’t avoid the horrors of Dick’s and Perry Perry’s crimes in order for his opinion to be unbiased. The absence of Capote is most apparent with the journalist who knew Smith and Hickock equally well (386). This detail is easy to miss, but Capote was the one taking thousands of pages worth of notes for his book. The inmates are not mentioned, but the extensive notes he took and the time he spent interviewing them certainly establishes him as a very well-informed source. In Cold Blood, like many creative nonfiction works, can raise questions about the accuracy of what it portrays. Capote is accused by several witnesses of embellishing Perry’s words to achieve dramatic effect. Capote has portrayed Perry to be a sensitive, caring man in his earlier book. By exaggerating Perry’s words, he would fit the character Capote painted of him. It is possible to say “I did not want harm the man.” He seemed like a nice man. Soft-spoken. It doesn’t sound like they have much regret when talking about a murder that he committed. Capote could have embellished Perry’s confession to show that despite the horrible crimes committed, people still possess some humanity. Rehabilitation is better than the death punishment.

The importance of family in a story about brutal murders is not surprising, once you know the backstory of the characters. In addition to the Clutters, Dick and Perry were both given attention in their childhoods. Dick’s father and mother sound very similar to those of the Clutters. While both families were farmers, they treated their children with respect. The only difference was the huge wealth gap between the two. Perry had a terrible childhood that appealed to the pathos. He was mistreated by his parents, his siblings, and almost every adult in his life. Perry relates how a Salvation Army workers treated him. She would put him in a tub filled with ice water, then hold him down under the water until he became blue. Nearly perished in a watery grave (152). His tragic background could definitely make readers more sympathetic and understanding to his mental instability. Dick’s past makes it difficult to understand how he was able to end up in a similar situation as Perry, but Capote explains that Dick never received punishment for his crimes as a kid.

Dick and Perry suffered from the way the cases were presented, despite the fact that one was more extreme. Capote argues that Dick and Perry were unfairly treated in their case. Capote emphasized Dick’s attempts to show the inadequacy and lack of defense. This didn’t influence the trial’s outcome, but it was still important. Dick’s father was one of those who felt the trial had been unfair. I have never seen anyone so biased. There is no point in having a court trial. Not when he is in charge.” (324). Capote doesn’t just question the morality, but also questions certain aspects of their case. Capote focuses on the M’Naghten Rule. It is described as “completely colorblind to any variations between black-and-white” (339). This law limited the psychologist to only answering “yes” or “no” if asked about the defendants’ mental health and if they knew right from wrong. This is not a reasonable law and does not provide enough information for a jury to reach a decision. Capote agrees and includes what the psychiatrist would have said. By giving the reader information that the jury did not have, Capote creates dramatic irony. The reader may wonder how the case might have ended if the jurors were aware of Perry’s “definite symptoms of severe mental disease” (342).

Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood effectively uses rhetorical strategies to argue against the execution of the condemned. Capote convinces readers to support his side by using an epigraph and other rhetorical techniques.

elliotjones

Elliot Jones is a 29-year-old middle school teacher and blogger. He has been writing since he was a teenager, and his writings have been featured on various websites and in magazines. He enjoys writing about education, parenting, and lifestyle topics.