Monday, April 16, 2007

Truman Capote: In Cold Blood

LA CLUSTER THOUGHTS:
  • The complication between evil/good characters and any sort of moral implications: What kind of emotional reaction is Capote trying to produce? Why? We considered whether the way he interpreted his characters is different than the way his readers later see them.

  • The characterization of the killers in comparison to the victims. Capote's refusal to enliven the victims – why are they flat and static? Why does he so thoroughly focus on the killers? Perhaps this is essential in understanding that the victims were no longer alive – that their characters cannot be explored. Also, Capote may have thought that the killers are simply more interesting studies.

  • The link between journalism and novel writing: At what point does Capote manipulate his reader beyond a journalistic account? What are the connections between journalistic and novel writing and the merits of both?

  • The religious aspects of Capote's novel: is he implying something about the belief in God by emphasizing the spiritualities of his characters? The hypocrisy of Christianity and the dangers of a lack/extremisim of faith.

  • Homosexual themes? Other symbolism/metaphors? Was Capote's portrayal of Holcomb was fair and realistic? What is rural America like today? Has it changed?

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