Summary Of Truman Capote's In Cold Blood

One cool, November night, six lives were ended with actions of two deranged psychopaths, resulting in many groups of people being deeply hurt. In Truman Capote’s nonfiction book, In Cold Blood, a loving family of four, the Clutters is brutally murdered by two outcasts of society, Perry Smith and Dick Hitchcock. Capote takes readers through the process of not only the murder, but also the capture, trial, and eventually the execution of both murders. In that process, readers are given insight into both the minds of the killers, and the effects this cold-blooded killing, creating feelings of sympathy and remorse. These killings help to prove how destructive and traumatic an event of such magnitude can be to a great number of people, rather than

The usage of syntax helps create simple yet meaningful ideas that the reader is able to further understand and analyze, thus, allowing the author’s purpose to be better interpreted. Shortly after the murders, a local locksmith describes the great influx of locks being purchased, detailing, “ Imagination, of course, can open any door။turn the key and let terror walk right in” (Capote 88). Short, small phrases are used throughout the character's dialogue in order to show the tense, on edge mood within the town. The sentence contains many pauses, including one long break, going along with the tension surrounding the community. Seeing how the town has become divided, readers are able to see how such an impactful incident can deeply hurt and divide a great number of people. Along with affecting a large number of people, an event of such magnitude not only affects one side, where it was aimed to affect, but it can also hurt those who committed the terrible act. The use of syntax provides short, and quick sentences, revealing the psychological pain and trauma from Dick’s mind resulting from committing his crime. After being arrested and thrown in jail, the undersheriffs wife, Mrs.Meier, describes what she heard from Dick, telling, “I heard him crying...Crying like a child. He’d never broke down before, shown any sign of it” (Capote 308). Along with the short, blunt statements, Capote uses an asyndeton to show the bleak and hopeless outlook Dick views life with. Also, the repetition of crying makes it obvious how damaging the whole experience for Dick, even though he was the one that committed the act. The easy to understand sentence structure allows readers to fully grasp what is conveyed, as Dick’s tough guy person is finally torn down from the great trauma he has experienced. Capote specifically