In Cold Blood

By Truman Capote

Truman Capote’s “In Cold Blood” is a seminal work of true crime literature that captivates readers with its meticulous research, evocative imagery, and use of literary devices such as foreshadowing, metaphor, and irony. Through the story of the brutal murder of the Clutter family in 1959 Kansas, Capote weaves a gripping tale of violence, justice, and the human psyche. The novel blurs the line between fact and fiction, inviting readers to question the nature of truth and the meaning of justice in a world where violence and tragedy are all too common.

Themes 📚

1. The nature of evil – The novel explores the nature of evil through its portrayal of the two killers, Dick Hickock and Perry Smith. Capote examines the factors that led to their heinous crimes and challenges readers to consider the question of whether evil is innate or the result of circumstance.
2. The search for truth – “In Cold Blood” is a work of non-fiction that blurs the line between fact and fiction. Capote’s meticulous research and attention to detail invite readers to question the nature of truth and the reliability of eyewitness accounts.
3. The psychology of violence – The novel examines the psychology of violence through its portrayal of the killers and the effects of the crime on the small Kansas town where it takes place. Capote explores the ways in which violence can affect individuals and communities.
4. The American Dream – The Clutter family is portrayed as an ideal of the American Dream, with a successful farm and a loving family. The murder of the Clutters highlights the fragility of this dream and the dark underbelly of American society.
5. Justice and the legal system – The novel explores the themes of justice and the legal system through the trial of the killers. Capote highlights the flaws and limitations of the legal system and raises questions about the meaning of justice in a world where violence and tragedy are all too common.

Use of Literary Devices ✍🏽

1. Foreshadowing – Capote uses foreshadowing to create tension and anticipation, such as when he describes the “paranormal sense of premonition” that one of the Clutter daughters experiences before the murder.
2. Metaphor – The author uses metaphor to create vivid and evocative descriptions of people and places. For example, he describes Perry Smith’s face as “hieroglyphic” and the Kansas landscape as a “vast nothingness.”
3. Symbolism – Capote uses symbolism to represent abstract concepts, such as the Clutter family’s farm, which represents the American Dream.
4. Irony – Irony is used to create a sense of tragedy and pathos, such as when the town of Holcomb is described as “quiet and wholesome,” only to be shattered by the brutal murder of the Clutter family.
5. Allusion – The author uses allusion to reference other works of literature and history, such as when he compares Perry Smith to the character of Frankenstein.
6. Point of view – Capote uses multiple points of view to tell the story, allowing readers to see the events of the novel from multiple perspectives.
7. Flashback – Flashbacks are used to provide readers with important background information about the characters, such as when Perry Smith’s childhood is explored in detail.
8. Imagery – The author uses vivid imagery to create a sense of place and atmosphere, such as when he describes the Clutter home as “a home with absolutely no sign of life.”
9. Repetition – Repetition is used to emphasize important ideas and themes, such as the repeated references to the town’s shock and disbelief after the murders.
10. Personification – Personification is used to give human qualities to non-human things, such as when Capote describes the wind as “clawing at the windows” of the Clutter home.

Examples of Literary Devices 📋

1. Symbolism

Example	Explanation
The Clutter family home	The Clutter family home symbolizes the American Dream – a vision of prosperity, stability, and family values that is brutally shattered by the murders.
The murder of the canary by the cat	This symbolizes the sudden and violent disruption of peace and innocence.
Perry’s guitar	Perry’s guitar symbolizes his lost dreams and aspirations, as well as his more humane, sensitive side.

2. Foreshadowing

Example	Explanation
The detailed description of the Clutters’ last day	The focus on the mundane details of the Clutters’ last day foreshadows the tragic events that are about to occur.
Perry’s recurring dreams	Perry’s dreams, especially about a giant yellow bird and his lost paradise, foreshadow the violence he will enact and his ultimate fate.
The community’s sense of unease	The community’s sense of something being “off” the morning after the Clutters are killed foreshadows the discovery of the murders.

3. Irony

Example	Explanation
Dick’s belief that he and Perry can get away with the crime	Despite Dick’s confidence, they are quickly caught, highlighting the irony between his perceived cleverness and the reality of their situation.
The Clutters being the least likely victims	The Clutters were respected and loved members of the community, which makes their random selection by Dick and Perry deeply ironic.
The lack of money in the Clutter home	The irony of the crime is that Dick and Perry committed the murders believing that they would find a safe full of money, but the Clutters didn’t keep cash in the house.

4. Imagery

Example	Explanation
The description of the Clutter family home	The imagery used to describe the Clutter family home emphasizes the sense of tranquility and security that is shattered by the murders.
The depiction of the murder scene	The vivid and gruesome details of the murder scene create a shocking contrast to the otherwise peaceful depiction of life in Holcomb.
The portrayal of the executions	The detailed descriptions of Dick’s and Perry’s executions underscore the grim reality of their fate and the finality of their actions.

5. Simile

Example	Explanation
The comparison of Holcomb to “an island in the wheat”	This simile emphasizes the isolation and peacefulness of the small town.
Perry is described as “quiet as a shadow”	This simile underscores Perry’s stealthy, elusive nature.
Capote describes Perry’s voice as “soft as a spider’s web”	This simile conveys an eerie, unsettling quality about Perry.

FAQs 💭