Question 4

[McKenzie Messmer]

Truman Capote told the horrific historic event "In cold Blood" through different perspectives of the characters involved, while also incorporating his own from time to time. In my opinion, I do not believe Truman Capote believed in capital punishment, which he stated indirectly throughout the plot. I believe that Capote developed a somewhat close relationship with Perry Smith, thus the constant portrayal of his hard, unconditional life in which Capote sympathized with. Even though Hickock was given the remembrance of a pervert, murderer who didn't care about the needs of others, Capote would occasionally display a sort of "soft side" that made you, in a sense, pity his tragic life, despite the Clutter family tragedy. I believe Capote pitied the Clutter murder, but led the reader to believe it was not entirely Dick and Perry's fault. He highlighted their full responsibility of taking the lives of other human beings, but he also zeroed in on their troubling upbringing in which the world got the best of them, eventually making an event like this one inevitable. Truman Capote once quoted, "It's as if Perry Smith and I grew up in the same house, only one day, he got up and went out the back door, while I went out the front." Capote was unsatisfied with the verdict of their unfair trial, as seen through the underlying hope that the "corner" could have been postponed forever. Nevertheless, the section pertaining to the actual deaths and how the individuals watching felt is key to this interpretation. I believe Capote disguised his feelings for that of Dewey. Dick Hickock, the first of the dynamic duo to take a ride on the "big swing", caused Dewey to feel effected by watching such a gruesome act, and even claimed how, within good reason, the death punishment was acceptable (although, he never clarified which situations those would be, again displaying why I think Capote periodically disguised his feelings for that of Dewey), yet you could still feel the despair he felt for the life of Dick being taken, despite the lives he took. Nevertheless, when it was Perry's turn, the book claimed Dewey shut his eyes the whole time and did not open them until he was pronounced dead, portraying a sight and reality to unbearable for Capote to see.

[ikschultz]

I agree and disagree with Mckenzie. I feel as if Capote's view on the seth penalty shifts with certain moments throughout the book. I agree with you that he became a friend to Perry and sympathized with him. I also want to add that by adding Dr. Jones statement on what he would've said to the jurors implies that it was an unfair witness account. However, I disagree with the idea that he was totally against capital punishment. While he connects with Perry by stating he too was orphaned and their roles could have easily been switched, I believe he thinks some crimes are just too cruel not to give the ultimate punishment. I don't think just because he sympathizes with Perry and Dick necessarily means that he is against the whole idea of death for a crime. Maybe just in their particular case due to his befriending of the killers or the courts lack of knowledge of Perry's apparent skitzophrenia.

[Kamryn Balson]

I agree that Capote and Perry became close because Perry would often talk to a reporter that was awarded special privileges at some events during their trial and hanging, and I think that reporter was capote. He started to connect with Perry as he heard more of his story which caused him to sympathize with Perry by the end. I also agree with what Izzy said which was Capote thinks some individuals are just too cruel and they deserve the death penalty, but if they are proven to have some mental illness then they should be sent somewhere for help, like Perry. By allowing the doctor to talk more on his opinion the jury might have found Perry innocent because of insanity.