"Then, touching the brim of his cap, Mr. Clutter headed for home and the day's work, unaware that it would be his last" (Capote 13).
In the first few chapters of In Cold Blood, Truman Capote uniquely introduces the unpretentious and ordinary Clutter family, as well as their soon-to-be murders. Written in a format similar to a fiction novel, readers follow Mr. Clutter as he goes about his daily duties on the family farm in the small Kansas town of Holcomb. Bonnie Clutter, his wife, is showcased with deteriorating mental health conditions, as well as their two involved, honor student children, Kenyon and Nancy. Simultaneously, Dick and Perry are introduced, with a George-Lennie (Of Mice and Men) type relationship, as they prepare for the robbery-murder of the innocent, unsuspecting family.
This introduction serves to set the tone for the upcoming devastation, and reveals a truth about the harsh reality of murder. Capote shows the family as a simple, yet caring group who provide help and support to other families. By showcasing the normal life of this small-town family, the author reveals that often time tragedy strikes with no pre-meditation, and the truth that one can take the life of another without any justification or motivation. However, interestingly enough, readers cannot help but feel sympathy for the criminal duo who struggle to make it by, relying solely on each other for support.
So far, In Cold Blood has proven to be a page turner, easily read and does not give off the drudging effect of other non-fiction works. I am interested to see how Capote depicts the murders, as well as the investigation which follows. Stay tuned.
In the first few chapters of In Cold Blood, Truman Capote uniquely introduces the unpretentious and ordinary Clutter family, as well as their soon-to-be murders. Written in a format similar to a fiction novel, readers follow Mr. Clutter as he goes about his daily duties on the family farm in the small Kansas town of Holcomb. Bonnie Clutter, his wife, is showcased with deteriorating mental health conditions, as well as their two involved, honor student children, Kenyon and Nancy. Simultaneously, Dick and Perry are introduced, with a George-Lennie (Of Mice and Men) type relationship, as they prepare for the robbery-murder of the innocent, unsuspecting family.
This introduction serves to set the tone for the upcoming devastation, and reveals a truth about the harsh reality of murder. Capote shows the family as a simple, yet caring group who provide help and support to other families. By showcasing the normal life of this small-town family, the author reveals that often time tragedy strikes with no pre-meditation, and the truth that one can take the life of another without any justification or motivation. However, interestingly enough, readers cannot help but feel sympathy for the criminal duo who struggle to make it by, relying solely on each other for support.
So far, In Cold Blood has proven to be a page turner, easily read and does not give off the drudging effect of other non-fiction works. I am interested to see how Capote depicts the murders, as well as the investigation which follows. Stay tuned.