high wheat plains of western Kansas, Perry and Dick, two men recently

paroled for petty crimes, left almost no evidence behind except for a

bloody footprint and a radio they stole from the Clutter house. In the

investigative nonfiction murder story "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote, the

story of Perry and Dick and the night of November 15, 1959 is relived.

This fast-paced and straightforward documentary talks about the nature of

American violence, and details the motiveless murder of four members of the

Clutter family and the investigation that led to the capture, trial, and

execution of the killers, but not before the reader gets to know Dick and

While reading Truman Capote's nonfiction novel, "In Cold Blood,"

Capote's presentation of the facts surrounding the murders of an obscure

Kansas farmer and three of his family members becomes almost frightening.

At many times, the author of this paper was left wondering why this book

was having such an effect on him and why it seemed so realistic to him.

Initially, one may think the answer to be that the book was a true account-

because these things had actually happ

fully from the pain of having to leave his first wife. Capote has a

criminals and their role in the crime, but their childhoods, their lives

Another discomforting aspect of "In Cold Blood" was the fact that

was forced to separate from his first wife Carol, whom he truly loved, in

after their executions, Capote admitted to having become an alcoholic and

feels that these criminals have just committed an unspeakable crime, that

the latter ultimately pulling ahead" (130). Perry didn't feel as though

the criminals place no value on human life and consequently, are more

disturbing to the reader. While Capote became somewhat friendly with the

-maybe a bit smarter than the average fellow, that's all" (108).

The murder story, "In Cold Blood," by Truman Capote truly gives a

anger, rage, and isolation they felt from a very early age. The author of this paper believes that

however, his anger manifested itself in bad relationships with women. Dick

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1310
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)