In Cold Blood

I think In Cold Blood was probably the most influential book that we read all semester.  The focus on ordinary people spawned the genre of New Journalism and encouraged writers to look into the lives of ordinary people involved in extraordinary events.  It also spawned a hugely successful genre of psychological crime through the vivid examination of the motivations and backgrounds of the killers.  There are two things about the novel that strike me as most impressive: that a dandy like Truman Capote was able to get such a wealth of information to tell the story that is laid out in the novel, and that he was able to make me feel bad for someone (Perry) who took part in such a maliciously violent act, especially when the Clutters were such a likeable family.

Just imagining Truman Capote coming into Holcomb Kansas in the 1950s and early 60s makes me think that he wouldn’t have stood a chance in getting enough details from the conservative and religious community.  The flamboyant writer surely would have disturbed the residents and it is a testament to him that he was able to overcome this handicap and create such a powerful work that was contingent upon thorough research and community cooperation.  It makes me think that Harper Lee may have had a much larger role in the research and construction of the book than she is given credit for.

The most impressive aspect of the book relates to the character of Perry.  The way that Capote presents the facts of his life (broken home damaged by suicide and alcoholism, the accident that left him disfigured) makes me actually feel sorry for his situation, despite the fact that he killed four people with no other motive than money.  There are rumors that Capote may have had a sexual relationship with Perry during his interview visits, it’s tough to know what to make of such rumors.  It is obvious that he seriously relates to him and wants the reader to feel sorry for him, but it seems unlikely that a sexual relationship would have been possible.

I was also impressed with the way the story was told.  The use of dialogue was fantastic and the restraint that Capote showed in holding back his own comments in certain places was masterful.