In Cold Blood by Truman Capote - Essay Example

Truman Capote and Recent Literary Journalists Introduction In Cold Blood by Truman Capote is an image of thecurrent culture. Throughout his literature profession, Truman Capote has remained to be among the most American’s colorful and controversial authors, merging literary mastermind with an affinity for the impressive world of a higher society. Although Truman Capote wrote a handful of copies, the techniques he used were faultless and his imminent to human psychology was extraordinary. Capote’s colorful and well-documented literature has often enabled him to win several gifts, as a colorful and controversial author. However, with time, his work will live longer than the celebrity. This essay gives a comparison of the techniques that Capote used and those used by current literary journalists. Truman Capote is famously known for the role he played to develop the “modern journalism”, a writing style that was between literature and journalism. The essence of all this lies in the work of Truman Capote, which was non-fiction, was published in the year 1966 and considered as the first “new novel”. In Cold Blood is one the books, which marked the peak of Truman Capote’s profession. This book was both a highly praised literary progress and enormous monetary success. After its publication, book reviewers name, the year of 1966, “a year of Truman Capote”. As a result, a large number of critics came to agreement that Truman Capote was then enjoying the success of his hard work after paying much attention to print and magazines’ writing (Waldmeir & John 45). What makes the work of Truman Capote different from the work of the other writers as well as that of current literary journalists is the techniques and style that he used, “creative literary writing combined with novelistic and realism imagination”. Capote made use of journalism while writing his novel by providing the readers with facts in a fashion of a straightforward newspaper, however, as an imaginative and creative writer who selects details. He then reproduced these details like a painter who was carefully producing a fine art portrait. Truman Capote arranged his book in four parts, whereby he presented each part like a vignette. The parts include, The Last to See Them Alive, Answer, and The Corner. Truman Capote writes each chapter like a short story with a main story, whereby each chapter represents a different setting or scene different from the preceding chapter. As Truman Capote started to write his book on the killing of the family of Clutter in Kansas, this became essential for him to keep himself from the story. In one of his interviews, he explained that for a nonfiction-novel author, him, or her to be successful, it is good not to appear in his or her work. According to Truman Capote, most of his critics were curious on how he reconstructed the discussions of a dead family and not incorporating his own ideas. All of his work is written from the witness’s evidence, which is portrayed in the first title of the book (Voss 89). Truman Capote used almost six to compose his book. He used much of his time researching and collecting data about the case as well as the players. He used several months to carry out comparative research about murder, killers, and criminal mentality as well as interviewing several murderers. Truman Capote unlike most of current literary journalists spent a full year going through his notes before he could write any single line. However, when he began to write, he had completed the whole book in outline and started with some interviews. He cites two examples about how he made use of interviews in his book. To begin with, in the first part of the book, he provides that reader with a long narration of a teacher who was with the Sheriff when they found the dead bodies in Clutter house. He set this narration in the book as a complete interview, though it was carried out for many times. In the last part, the teacher gives a full explanation on what they found and what happened. In addition, in the beginning section, postmistress together with her mother explains that the ambulance has already gone to Clutter house. In this case, Truman Capote compiled the information he gathered and swapped it in a straight narrative format. In some other sections of the book, Truman Capote makes use of other journalism technique to create his story, observation. The visit to Holcomb, Kansas, enabled Capote to paint visuals for the readers and not simply reading it. One of his observation techniques states, “The local accent is barbed with a prairie twang… and high-heeled boots with pointed toes (3)”. Out of all the techniques that Truman Capote used to compose his book, none of them was more essential than doing comprehensive research, which enabled him gather enough information that served as the backbone of his work. This is much different from current journalists who do not have enough time to do such comprehensive researches. Similar to the current literary journalists, Truman Capote gained a celebrity status when he turned his book into a film. In the year 1951, after his “The Grass Harp” completion, he was given an offer to convert his novel into a film. At first, he was against this offer, but the sum of money he was about to make influenced him to change his mind. By the end of the same year he had finished the conversion of the novel into play and soon became one of the theater productions. Apart from The Grass Harp, Truman Capote had acted in various plays in the theater. Truman Capote was enthralled by play scripts and used techniques similar to those used by current literary journalists such as psychological evaluations and closeups, flashback acting, and settings that were careful-depicted (Capote 76). Similar to current literary journalists, Truman Capote cites a list of references. In trying to keep with the Praxis of conventional journalism, Truman Capote cite a list of real references into his writing such as Nancy, who is Clutter’s individual diary and connection between the murderers and their family and friends. Although Truman Capote argued that the interview that are incorporated in the novel are accurate, it is obvious that he edited them so that they may be similar to fictional reconstructions of dialogues and episodes. For example, it would not be easy for Truman Capote to observe the private conversations of the murderers. Most of his interviews are claimed to be misquoted or not portrayed in the right light. For instance, the daughters of Clutter were not happy with how Truman Capote portrayed their mother. In order to keep away from the batter of critics, most current literary journalists ensure that they differentiate the fine line between the complete fabrication and metaphor. Whether Truman Capote depended too much on his possibly not completely accurate remembrance for storage of quotes, maybe he sensed the decoration of some happenings was essential towards the success of his work; most critics thought and argued that he went beyond the line between downright lies and literary license. However, Truman Capote failed to reveal that using a more psychological and personal angle when writing about a case adds a revealing and interesting edge of whats on the other side would be a hard and cold reportage. However, the content of his book tells us that, it is misguided to stray very far from the facts (Voss 89). Unlike the current journalists, while writing In Cold Blood, Truman Capote demonstrated his writing talent by employing a variety of techniques. This was different from current from the current literary journalists who only incorporate a view of these techniques. The journalistic techniques that Truman Capote used included saturation/immersion reporting, internal monologue/extended dialogue, description, characterization, theme/imagery/symbolism, simile/metaphor, dramatization, point of view, and flashbacks/irony/foreshadowing. Truman Capote’s strategy of gathering information was saturation and immersion report to research about the death of the Clutter family and its aftermath. Unlike the current literary journalists who uses the internet to research for information, hence taking them only view months to write a novel, Truman Capote spent more than half a year doing a comprehensive research about the data that was essential for the success of his novel as well as recording approximately 6,500 pages of important notes. This included court records, correspondence, magazine/newspaper accounts, extended interviews, weather reports, and diary entries. This was much different from the current literary Journalism who because of the technological advance and easy access of broad information, they only use a view of these journalistic techniques (Truman 75). Whether Truman Capote succeeded or did not succeed in his writing, the journalistic account that he achieved is still used as role models by most of the current literary journalism. What is the most important part of his work is the use of saturation report techniques while researching his work, which is not commonly used in the modern literary world. Capote conducted numerous interviews, which all of them, he used as sources of his work. Unlike the current literary journalists, when Capote was working on his novel, he was fully involved with all his characters as well as their individual lives, composing a small portion of his book daily. Most of the current literary journalists do not make use of this technique since it extraordinarily consumes and difficult, although of a literary writer who understand the essentials of this technique, the results of his or her work always become an exciting and unique form of literary writing. An additional unique technique that Truman Capote used is the fact gathering technique for his artistic purposes. The use of this technique enabled him to give the true facts, unveiling them in the form of a newspaper, but as an imaginative artist printing them, selecting details, and reiterating these facts the same way painters repeat a color or line for intensity or meaning. In his writing, Truman Capote, unlike the current literary journalists, used in-depth interviews to gather essential information. Additionally, Truman Capote is honored because of his presentation of two murderers and the killings’ aftermath. In literary journalism, the use of characterization technique surpasses the traditional conventions of reporting with depictions of individuals with psychological depth. Most authors describe this technique as a way of presenting a full objective of description, and adding other things that readers go to short stories and novels to find, such as subjective as well as the characters emotional life (Capote 76). The greatest accomplishment of Truman Capote was characteristic of the killing of Perry Smith. One can note that Truman Capote’s concern of moral ambiguity and character analysis in a novelistic form is highly dominated in the novel In Cold Blood. Although a large number of current literary journalists commonly uses this technique, its use in In Cold Blood serves as a role model for many of them. Truman Capote used this technique in a very unique way that contributed towards the success of his novel and making an icon in the modern literary writing. Even though novelistic re-creation brings about accuracy issues, in traditional journalism, such as In Cold Blood all facts are used as sources unless a reporter, which differs from the modern journalism, witnesses them. For example, Truman Capote unreservedly pledges that Dick said a certain joke using certain words. This is a pledge that is difficult to backup. However, in modern literary journalism, re-creating events have become a journalistic convention. This technique is sometimes practiced with a lot of honor and sometimes with no honor. Dialogue remains present for all because it is difficult for a witness to remember what he or she saw or was said days, months, or even years before. The concerns and question surrounding this practice will not be addressed soon, but it is beyond doubt that Truman Capote heard all what his characters said in his novelistic ear and transcribed it with a lot of faith than any other journalist or the current literary journalists (Bloom 124). Moreover, Truman Capote used evocative description throughout the entire crime book. For instance, there is a scene that he wrote that the teeth of Herb Clutter were strong enough to crack walnuts. In addition, he described Dick Hickock, who was among the killers as “… the left eye being serpentine… (67)”. Truman Capote also portrayed Sadie, who was the town messenger as a “… a stocky, weathered widow… (78)”. The characteristic literary, journalistic description is portrayed in the details’ inclusion. Despite the use of distinctive details, Truman Capote like the current literary journalists also employed fictional tools such as simile and metaphors. These are among the common techniques used in modern literary journalism. For example, Capote described Perry’s childhood metaphorically. “They (Perry and his siblings) shared a doom against which virtue was no defense… (81)”. Later on, Capote characterized Smith as inappropriate and lonely as an ocean gull. Most of current novelistic writers make use of this technique in the same way Truman Capote did. This is one of the main similarities between the techniques that were used by Truman Capote and that used by current literary journalists (Davis 78). Another common similarity is that Truman Capote also used techniques such as symbolism, imagery, and theme in his writing. A large number of modern literary journalists integrate these techniques in their story telling the same way they were used in In Cold Blood. These techniques, for instance, the imagery are depicted at the introduction and conclusion of the book In Cold Blood. This is another common similarity between the techniques of Truman Capote and those used by current literary journalists. The other similarity that is depicted between Truman Capote and modern literary journalists is the use of flashbacks, irony, and foreshadowing. Flashbacks, irony, and foreshadowing are another common technique employed by modern literary journalists. Capote also like many of the current literary journalists made use of the omniscient viewpoint in his work, which enabled him to provide greater flexibility while trying to express the actions and thoughts of some of the characters in the novel. Most of the current literary journalists employ omniscient viewpoints to enable them provide the readers with greater flexibility while trying to express the actions and thoughts of some of the characters in their novel (Waldmeir & John 45). Conclusion In conclusion, Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood is a vital icon in the modern literary journalism. Most of the current journalists use the work of Truman Capote as a role model that enables them to do their work appropriately. Truman Capote used various essential novelistic techniques that highly contributed towards the success of his novel. The above discussion has depicted the similarities and differences between the techniques that Truman Capote used and those used by the modern literary journalists. Throughout his literature profession, Truman Capote has remained to be among the most American’s colorful and controversial authors, merging literary mastermind with an affinity for the impressive world of a higher society. Additionally, he is famously known for the role he played to develop the “modern journalism”, a writing style that was between literature and journalism. Works cited Bloom, Harold. Truman Capote. New York: Blooms Literary Criticism, 2009. Internet resource. Capote, Truman. In Cold Blood: A True Account of a Multiple Murder and Its Consequences. New York: Modern Library, 2006. Print. Davis, Deborah. Party of the Century: The Fabulous Story of Truman Capote and His Black and White Ball. Hoboken, N.J: John Wiley, 2006. Internet resource. Truman Capotes Nonfiction Novel "in Cold Blood" and Bennett Millers Biopic. S.l.: Grin Verlag, 2013. Print. Voss, Ralph F. Truman Capote and the Legacy of in Cold Blood. Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama Press, 2011. Print. Waldmeir, Joseph J, and John C. Waldmeir. The Critical Response to Truman Capote. Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press, 2009. Print. Read More