In Cold Blood Analysis

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In 1959, Holcomb, Kansas was the site of the quadruple murder of Clutter family at the hands of Perry Smith and Richard Hickock, an event that was novelized by Truman Capote in his magnum opus In Cold Blood. In order to create an accurate account of the events surrounding the murder of the Clutter family, Capote interviewed important figures from Holcomb, Kansas, and the murderers themselves. The information gathered by Capote depicts Smith and Hickock with both positive and negative opinions, and the Clutter family in a positive light. Capote collected a great deal of information concerning the criminals from the guilty party themselves, which results in a positive opinion of Smith and Hickock. For example, Richard Hickock's explanation …show more content…
In particular, the reactions of the Holcomb community to the news of the pair's capture included Mrs. Hartman's, the owner of the Hartman's Cafe, who noted “'I don't wonder the varmint fainted'” (250). Capote's inclusion of the word “varmint” characterizes Smith and Hickock as dangers to the people of Holcomb, and as subhuman monsters. The emotions fueling this statement include the fears present in the people of Holcomb after the murders, as well as anger at the perpetrators of the crime. While Hartman's statement accurately summarizes the attitude expressed by Holcomb residents towards Smith and Hickock, it also invokes feelings of disgust towards the pair. Therefore, by including Hartman's statement, Capote casts Smith and Hickock in a negative light. Furthermore, Capote uses the closing statement of Logan Green, a prosecutor in the Clutter case, in order to reveal the view held by authorities on Hickock and Smith's actions. As Green passionately depicts the gruesome scene of murder with the words “'What agony! What terrible torture!'”, it is clear that he intends to portray Smith and Hickock as cruel murderers that enjoyed ending the lives of the jury's peers. As the job of the prosecutor is to convince the jury of the defendant's guilt, Green's description of the event, and Capote's decision to use Green's speech, aims to portray the pair in a extremely …show more content…
This impression contains a bias that presents the Clutters in a positive light. For example, the opinions of Susan Kidwell are what Capote uses to create his description of Nancy Clutter. In particular, Susan Kidwell and Nancy Clutter were “irreplaceable to the other” and best friends ever since Kidwell moved to Holcomb (21). Clearly, Capote's usage of the word “irreplaceable” signals the close bonds the two girls shared, a bond that colors Kidwell's memories of Nancy Clutter. Therefore, the description of Nancy Clutter Capote depicts is based on biased information provided by Kidwell, and as a result Capote portrays Nancy Clutter through the eyes of someone who thought highly of her. In addition, Capote includes the experiences of the Ashida family in Holcomb, and especially their interactions with Herb Clutter. Capote's inclusion of the interactions between the Ashidas and the Clutters serves to create a positive opinion of the Clutter family. For example, Herb Clutter is the one to “'suggest we honor Mrs. Ashida with an award” for her contributions to Holcomb (35). The Ashida family interacts with them in settings where Herb Clutter is an important figure, especially in the 4-H club, which serves to better the community of Holcomb. By recounting the experiences of the Ashidas,
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