In Cold Blood Rhetorical Analysis

Truman Capote showcases his very distinct style of writing in his true crime novel, In Cold Blood. Capote intentionally frames ruthless murderer Perry Smith as a relatable, well-intentioned human throughout the whole novel, and employs various rhetorical devices to show us that Perry is not just a stone cold killer. Specifically, Capote uses diction comprised of complex words, interviews conducted by Capote personally in which he interacted with the suspects and their loved ones, and sentence structure that came off as very to the point, in order to illustrate Perry’s dynamic and unique personality, opposed to the one dimensional heartless murderer many made him out to be.

As In Cold Blood progresses, Capote slowly seems to discover the truth behind the murders and realize who Perry truly is. At first, Capote is debating whether or not Perry is the cold blooded killer everyone makes him out to be, or if his life choices were simply a product of his upbringing. Various quotes from Perry’s account of the killings show him both questioning himself and wanting to find a weapon. Capote’s description of Perry (for example, “He rubs his legs; the handcuffs rattle”) shows how nervous Perry is, and makes it seem as though he is having a hard

time remembering because he was traumatized by the events that transpired that night; however, Perry also seems to be able to remember vivid details from that night, as shown by his quote, “I told Dick to the hold the flashlight, focus it… room just exploded, it backed up.” The quick and short syntax of his phrasing makes Perry seem more guilty, proving to the audience he is a killer by nature.
Capote uses various minor characters, such as Dewey, to show his readers that people are not born with a need to kill. Some develop sociopathic tendencies due to their upbringing and environment. Dewey himself even said, “...for Perry Smith’s life had been no bed of roses but pitiful, an ugly and lonely progress toward a mirage.” demonstrating how even Perry’s arresting officer is unsure if he deserves the death penalty. In the case of Dick, Capote uses him to contrast the two killers, such that Dick represents nature while Perry represents nurture. Capote mainly uses Dewey’s account of the murder to show a side that is purely objective, as he uses explicit details and recounts the killings as a man who has no emotional attachment to the killers or the family.
Throughout the entirety of In Cold Blood, Truman Capote establishes a tone that is intense and gloomy. The reader is able to see that Perry’s account could very well be untruthful, despite the fact that Capote seems to favor him. Dick’s point of view actually seems much more plausible because at this point in the story Dick has nothing to hide. Dick solely states the important things, putting in details only when needed, unlike Perry who puts too much focus on the details. Capote goes through an internal struggle while writing this novel as he is unable to decide whether or not Perry deserves to die. While writing this, Capote also makes the readers question themselves- would they trust Perry’s account, his emotional attachment to the killing or the more objective recollections. Deciding whether or not this was some “psychological accident” or a cold blooded murder that was calculated and cruel is what Capote’s audience is supposed to do while reading In Cold Blood.
Capote constantly questions himself throughout the novel.

He tries to show his readers that Perry was a killer brought about by his environment and upbringing. Whether that justifies Perry’s action or if the justice system should have lessened his sentence is what Capote leaves to the reader. Dick who was born with his need to kill, was a complete sociopath by nature. Using interviews from Dewey specifically brings about a perspective which is purely objective, and his use of complex and literal diction makes for a more emotionally detached novel. The short and concise syntax makes it seem as though Capote is confused and unable to make his own decision on Perry. All of these various things bring about the novel which is In Cold

Blood.