Week 4

[danpeale]

With this book, Truman has been credited with developing a new genre of writing: "literary non-fiction." What might that term mean, and how does In Cold Blood differ from straight crime reporting? Why did Capote create the kind of story he did, and what is its impact on the reader of this new approach?
-Literary non-fiction is a term that is used to describe a literary work that narrates a true event but that uses elements of fiction or other literary devices in order to enhance certain aspects of the story. In Cold Blood differs from straight crime reporting because instead of simply reporting the facts of the crime from the overdone viewpoint of the bone-weary cop chasing after the hardened criminals, Capote utilizes different points of views in order to evoke different emotions about the crime through discovering the viewpoints of Perry and Dick. I think Capote created this kind of story in order to change American society's view on crime and how sometimes there are other circumstances and Capote puts the reader in the place to gain the ability to fully comprehend the implications of these circumstances on criminals.

[markbaron1]

I agree with you that Capote's use of literary elements such as pov gives the reader the ability to understand the consequences and the effects of a crime on the criminals themselves, but I would like to add that it also elevates the reader's empathy towards the all of those involved in the crime in some way. Rather than simply seeing the crime for what it is, those who have read literary nonfiction have the ability to feel some amount of sympathy for the victims of the crimes. For example if someone in a neighborhood gets robbed, most of their neighbors will probably off them some sort of help, despite their not knowing what it feels like to be robbed (unless they themselves have been robbed before) they can still sympathize with the victim and try to help in any way they can.

[mikaelacoop]

I agree with your reasoning for the use of POV, but would also like to add that it allows the reader to understand the mind of a criminal a bit more. It enables them to understand the reasons for the criminals committing the crime and for them to be able feel a little bit sympathetic towards the criminals, something that they wouldn't normally feel.

[tatumzeller]

I also agree with you when you say that he uses different points of view to utilize the readers emotions. i think it Is really interesting how he writes because it appeals to the readers emotions in a new way that is very different that the average crime report. i would like to add to your response that the reader really develops emotional ties to each character in the book because of the style it was written. we are able to truly understand each character and build a since of sympathy for them, even the villains. The way he goes into detail about dick and perrys past almost makes you feel sorry for them as well and the victims due to Capotes bias pov.