Capote: The Tragedy Of The Clutter Family

Children at the same age as Perry, 13, will one day be in a home where they have to survive on their own, then the next they are in an orphanage. The mother of Perry Smith passed away soon after she left his father. The battle she fought was an enthusiastic battle with alcohol, the next day she lost and choked on her own vomit, this was probably the worst experience of Perry Smith’s life. When Perry Smith’s mother died, when she left the children, they moved into a Catholic orphanage where Perry got beaten for wetting the bed.

One action, a split second decision can undo all good deeds in a person 's life. This often occurs in novels such as The Crucible by Arthur Miller or The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne where characters make a life altering decision that causes them pain in the end. These character traits are used so often it becomes something of a stereotype, similar to the characters’ personalities in these iconic novels. The authors use cliches to express the idea that kind hearted people can become sinners despite their goodness.

Most people in their lifetime have been challenged by the face of adversity. Society regards this face in many ways: a horrendous destructor of tranquility and happiness or, perhaps in hindsight, a firm hand of change that brings the gift of wisdom. The ever popular expression of adversity is the proverbial wall people must climb over to reach new chapters of life, unknowing of the incredible strength they have acquired steadily gaining height. The inspiring force of the heroes who have overcome these challenges embolden others who witness it, bringing courage to more people going through tough times. This holds true in many areas, fictional and real.

In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, we’re introduced to the small town of Salem, Massachusetts, 1692. The town is governed by a Theocracy which means god is the almighty ruler. After Betty, last living daughter of Reverend Parris, falls “inert” (Act I pg. 3) and panic breaks out as the Girls of Salem are to soon be accused of witchcraft. Once Tituba and Abigail confess (Act I pg. 40-46) that people in the town are witches the stage has now been set.

Of course, one feels a pang of sorrow after the murder scenes, but nothing like the pain of reading the murders from Capote’s novel. Adding on to the lack of personal information of the Clutter’s is the brief analysis of the towns reactions towards the murders. One of the townspeople is written as saying, “What I hope is, I hope they keep’ em locked up good. I won’t feel easy knowing they’re in our vicinity’ (Capote 231). Observing how those who live relatively close to the murdered family react gives an impression of how this impacted those in the general area.

Capotes creates sympathy for Detective Dewey by allowing the reader to think about what it would be like to have family member who is extremely involved in work about the

He succeeds in creating these complex personalities that many can relate to by using a myriad of tones to illustrate every aspect of those engaged, such as their childhood, their family, or their emotions. For instance, Bobby Rupp, Nancy’s boyfriend and Perry Smith, one of the slayers, represent two individuals who readers commiserate with due to their distinctive characterization. Capote presents Bobby Rupp as the “school basketball hero”, and “dependable” for his age; Capote not only highlights his maturity, but also his emotional condition after the homicides. The readers understand that Bobby loves Nancy dearly, and her loss shocks him as demonstrated through Capote’s text: “He was ill, that grief had made him so, that grief had drawn a circle around him he could not escape from and others could not enter”

Contrastingly, the opposite opinion is revealed through the character Alvin Dewey in the book. Capote writes about Dewey’s beliefs on the case: “[The Clutter family] had experienced prolonged terror, they had suffered. And Dewey

Grudges and personal rivalries play a great role in the witch trial hysteria. In the play, The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller actions are motivated by personal vendettas. The two main female characters Abigail Williams and Elizabeth Proctor, and two of the male characters, John Proctor and Reverend Samuel Parris are perfect examples of relationships based on rivalries and grudges.

In Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood, there is no hero. The protagonist is not a hero, nor the law enforcement. Heroism becomes irrelevant when searching for justice following a tragedy such as the one seen on November 15th, 1959 in Holcomb, Kansas. Complexity, next to justice, is primary to put into account during the aftershocks . Perry Smith is the protagonist in the novel, not only due to author’s bias but also due to his sheer dynamic, a man disconnected from word to action.

Truman Capote uses variety of language devices to vividly develop Perry Smith in his novel In Cold Blood. These language devices include, diction, similes and symbolism. Throughout the novel diction is used to develop Perry Smith’s character, and suggest reasons for the murder. When Smith explains what happened that night at the Clutter’s family home, he tells agent Alvin Dewey about his moment with Nancy Clutter.

Although the author set himself the task of using the natural materials of this case to write a nonfiction novel, it is clear that the audience is given information about the murders, and murderers however, the author’s emotions are also present. Capote's tone in the novel strives to be objective, but he cannot help but let his compassion towards the criminals and the Clutter family emerge. His compassion shifts the novel in a way to pull on the heartstrings of the audience and to allow for a deeper understanding of his purpose. Many of the tones included in the book brings out the importance of the American Dream and life being a gift. The quote, “Then, touching the brim of his cap, he headed for home and the day’s work, unaware that it would be his last,” is an example of the author’s serious tone to support his purpose of how the gift of life can be taken so unexpectedly.

Everybody has desires that constantly weigh over their heads, pushing them to be diligent in all their endeavors, but what would you do if you knew that one day you would no longer have the opportunity to fulfill these desires? Everybody lives their lives so focused on the end goal that they are oblivious to the world around them, and the sad part is that in some cases the end goal is unattainable or never reached because the person dies. In In Cold Blood, Truman Capote utilizes symbolism and descriptive diction to tell his readers Perry’s wants and wishes. Throughout this subchapter the reader is able to learn more about how Perry feels in the moments after the Clutter family murder. The reader learns that Perry wishes he was loved by others

A new beginning, fresh start, clean slate whichever you choose to call it, it is widely acknowledged as something that everyone strives for once something dreadful has happened. A father goes missing after plunging down a path riddled with crime and a mother and her children oblivious to the things occurring around them. What does a mother do when the father of her children thrusts out of their life all of a sudden. Anything she can do to protect them. Andrea Doubenier thinks it best for her family to move back to Salem, Massachusetts to live with her mother until this dreary time has passed and her family can feel safe again.

Tragedy Mr.Miller wrote the tragedy of the crucible. The setting of the crucible is in Massachusetts bay during 1692/93. The tragedy is a dramatized and partially fictionalized play. The tragedy of the crucible begins with a rumor that started with nine girls. The play focuses on the inconsistencies of the salem witch trials and the behavior that can result from dark desires and agendas.