Authors and Writing Techniques
Authors occasionally use various writing techniques as a means of disseminating knowledge. Traditional writing techniques were the standard back then, with few exceptions. In Cold Blood, written by Truman Capote, uses a distinctive style that appeals to readers and other writers, making it a writing case study. The author of the book claims that every word used in it is real and demonstrates an unprecedented action at that point in the narrative in the book's critical success. A book can easily be sold to readers and academics thanks to the writing style, which also grabs the public's attention. Following the criticism received for both worlds of fictional and journalist writing after Capote's claims of creating a new genre, this paper discusses the styles used by Capote. Further, it analyzes the importance of using journalism as an artistic expression, by looking at critical responses from views by fellow journalists and readers.
Capote's Character Development Techniques
Capote's techniques come through the language he uses to develop his characters. He uses narratives as a way of catching the reader's attention, and in most instances giving the perception of him being present during the happenings (Leonard 7). Capote narrates the cold-blooded murder by interviewing of the family and acquaintances of those killed, and the community around the victims and the spine-tingling stories of the murderers. As a result, his audience can visualize the events as well as have assumptions on the intentions and characteristics of the murderers and victims. Additionally, Capote style brings out well-informed narration by carefully thinking through his starting and ending points with consistency from the beginning to the end of the story. Capote breaks down the novel into various small sections with different characters and interlinking them to form a continuous flow.
Omniscient Narration and Multiple Points of View
Capote incorporates omniscient narration with a when describing the different scenes and gives vivid descriptions of the characters involved, allowing the narrative come from various points of view. For instance, he relates two scenes that closely follow each other and the characters in both show satisfaction with their experiences. The first incidence describes Perry and Dicks drive through the humming to the tunes of his racing Chevrolet, contented with the completion of their mission while the second shows the joy that Nancy shows for completing her bakery lessons. The first chapter ends with Dicks scene and is immediately followed by Nancy's.
Effective Use of Observations
Observations also come out as a critical style used in the novel. Arguably this is one of the most excellent tools for writers of any category. A well-written piece gives readers an opportunity of seeing things in their thoughts as clearly as if they were present during the happenings. Perfect observational writing utilizes all of the senses in describing the incident, character or point; shifting the reader's mind into the world, the author is creating or defining. Most of the scenes are written from a third person point of view creating an impression of the author being an all knowing and all seeing person. Capote uses surveillance as depicted in one of his chapters where he turns the narration of the novel into a prison. Here, Capote continuously looks at Dick and Perry who are confined waiting for their death penalty, as though he is sitting on a tower and watching from above. Through this particular scene, the murders are not only confined within the prison but also in the minds of the victims' family and that of the reader as well. Even though the writer creates an impression of being present in many parts of the book, critics question his avoidance in using the technique in emotional parts. Some argue that he uses the trick of turning the more emotional scenes over to his characters thus making the readers get and an enormous sense of immediacy.
Imagery and Symbols in Capote's Narration
The third element in Capote's narration is that of the use of imagery and symbols in nearly all the chapters of the book. Experiences have proven that images give exciting and concrete ideas of writings. Capote through his impeccable skills describes characters to detail capturing the readers' feelings and emotions (Leonard 10). For example, Capote uses symbols of animals in his narration by describing a scenario of animals being in exile, some searching for freedom, others in prison, some dead and linking these experience to the two murders. Consequently, readers get to understand the relationship between death and humanity, where Perry human rights, where the community outside the prison advocated for vengeance, meaning that a possible death penalty due to an unfair ruling, will automatically end Perry's life. Furthermore, Capote uses the technique of imagery and symbols as a way of making the readers think through the daily happenings within their lives by relating to the scenes within the book. Some of the imagery used in the book contrasts the beautiful landscape to the cruel murders of the Clutter family in Kansas, while other descriptions help expose the mind of the killers.
Comparison to Other Southern American Writers
Analysts of the novel not only look at the reasons as to why Capote wrote the book but also at similarities in the writing skills used between the non-fictional story and previous writings as well as that of other writers in the Southern American context. For instance, Tuttle compares the use of environmental elements, character speeches, and symbolism used by Capote to that applied by Flannery O'Connor, in his short story called "A Good Man is Hard to Find" (Leonard 11). Further, these authors appreciate the fact that Capote used these skills as a method of relaying a factual happening thus enhancing the events unlike how most authors applied the skills to fictional stories. Again, many have scrutinized the meaning and direction of journalism and reporting in the United States. As a journalist, Capote recreates the murder and examines the events that led to the capture, trial, and execution of the killers. Most analysts view Capote's work as a masterpiece in the genre of nonfictional writing in new journalism despite the use of the style by other authors before him.
Capote's Impact on Journalism and Literature
Through his story, he brings out a mesmerizing suspense and astonishing empathy towards the killers. In Cold Blood is a work whose context goes beyond the time the murders took place. In fact, it yields heartbreaking acumens into the nature of American violence. Important to note is that Capote's writing brought new insight into journalism and reporting. Capote's novel became the bestselling novel in the USA for quite a long time after its publication, becoming an inspiration to many other authors. Capote's style gives an exciting form of literature with high literary merit for generations to come. Finally, Capote proved that merging journalism and storytelling helps writers come up with articles that readers can enjoy, without losing the intent of writing the stories.
Work Cited
Leonard, Sophia. Journalism as Artistic Expression: The Critical Response to Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood. Library.tulane.edu, 2015.
