An Insight Into Truman Capote And In Cold Blood

An insight into Truman Capote and his novel, In Cold Blood

An Insight into Truman Capote and In Cold Blood

By Joseph Parish

Even though Truman Capote may have affected the story as he saw fit, it is likely that the story may also have affected Capote. It is a sure bet that “In Cold Blood” created a measure of immortality for Capote as its aim was primarily to sensitively merge the art of news reporting, with the craft of writing prose thus originating a non-fiction novel.

Despite his assertion to the contrary, Capote distorted the truth considerably as he wrote his top selling book, “In Cold Blood”. Not long after the book was in print, several challenges were launched as to the accuracy of Capote’s work. These tales stem from a mixture of alleged inaccuracies involving misquoted interviewees to the finger pointing of fabricating characters, and inclusion of scenes that never took place. These inconsistencies were exposed, and brought to light highlighting the difference between the content of the novel and many of the official documents. Additionally, star players in the book, such as investigators and prosecutors, began complaining that the book portrayed them inaccurately, and erroneously misquoted statements made at that time.

These are the types of actions which haunted Truman Capote after experiencing remarkable success with this novel. Many people started viewing him with a degree of ill will, and a measure of distrust. The readers had started feeling falsely deceived upon learning of these major changes. Those readers who sought after utmost reality and truth began to wonder just where fiction and realism divided.

Often at the newsstand can be found the evening newspaper, or a monthly magazine where one may discover that some famous author, or reporter has done the same thing as Capote had done, only in their case the consequences were harsher than what had befallen Truman. One modern day example would be Brian Williams. After living in lies for the previous 12 years and claiming that the helicopter which he was flying in was struck by an RPG, it was finally revealed the report was false. The final word from Williams was that it was a made-up situation, and now its proclaimed that it never took place. After offering an apology, Williams ultimately resigned from his position with dishonor.

Perhaps Capote, like Williams, had seen and felt the needless death, and the taking of innocent lives too vividly as he researched his novel, and in some strange way wanted to apply a slight bit of “candy coating” to his prose. Additionally, being a new form of literature, the nonfiction novel was not accurately defined, leaving Capote an avenue of expansion for his recently developed writing style.

From childhood, Capote had begun life as a troubled individual and always felt that the world was fighting against him. Capote’s mother and father neglected their son, often leaving the small child in the care of other people. Much of Capote’s young life was spent in the care of the mother's relatives. It was in Monroeville, Alabama that Capote and Harper Lee were to become lifelong friends. In future times, Capote had to grapple with a nightmarish family life, while seeing little of either mother or father, thus creating eminent feelings of abandonment and resentment within the small child.

When Capote eventually went to live with Lillie Mae, his mother, Capote discovered that “mom” was much different than previously thought. Lillie Mae was sometimes cruel, and at other times kind towards Truman, which prompt the young boy to never know what to expect. Due to Truman’s feminist manner, and his nature, Lillie would often pick on the child for not acting like other boys. Capote was at best a mediocre student for which he contributed towards his courses of interest, but paid little attention in those not to his liking. Capote ended up with an alcoholic mother making life at home unstable, and undermining Truman’s future.

In defense of Capote, a tape recorder was never used for any of the interviews conducted for the book. All information was transcribed as it was being told to the writer. This type of note taking resulted in a 95 percent accuracy; thus, it is very conceivable that vital information may not have been written down during the interviews. This would result in some of the possible inaccurate data pointed out in the pages of the book or potential misquotes.

The creation of the nonfiction novel, In Cold Blood, took a considerable amount of Capote’s energies. The writer had labored for a number of years on this ambitious project, yet still needed to wait until the justice system completed its course of action before the manuscript was finally completed. The hard work finally paid off when the published book was instantly a best-seller, or did the work pay off?

With acclaim and wealth in Capote’s hands the writer was never the same after the publication of his major work. There was a large price to pay for his dabbling into the dark territories of life and death. The process had consumed the writer, and taken its toll both psychologically and physically. In an endeavor to erase the evil visions, Capote began drinking heavily and taking drugs for his nerves. Capote openly admitted that he was ill every day as a result of the tensions encountered from writing the book. This was a comment contained in a 1961 letter sent to FBI investigator Alvin Dewey Jr.

Moving on, it is obvious from the comments made by Capote that the complete process of writing the novel had haunted his every move since the book was completed. Truman Capote has stated that the book was completed, but in a sense it wasn’t. This acts as an immediate indication of Capotes physiological being, after the book was finished.

Being a factual book the events within the pages had a profound effect upon Capote. It is highly likely that Capote had become emotionally involved with Perry Smith as the daily interviews were conducted. Capote saw in Perry, a person capable of more than what he had become. Perry represented a measure of artistic talent, which had gone astray and an aptitude which was never to be discovered. Perhaps Capote saw in Perry the son he never had. Although the Clutter family was gone, and could not speak for themselves, Capote achieved the impossible by way of interviews with friends and neighbors. These interviews allowed Capote to know and understand each and every one of the murdered family members. In addition, the series of interviews with the killers, Capote becomes familiar with their character and absorbed their emotional development. Living all these intimate lives, even if only in ones notes scarred Capote emotionally and led to Truman’s self-destructive attitude. As a result of the number of years, this book was researched, Capote literally began living multiple lives - the Clutter families as well as the murders.

The four years, which Capote spent interviewing and conversing with the two killers changed Capote’s life forever. Capote was an extremely complex person being talented, insecure and yet extremely spiteful. Truman Capote ended his life as a depressed, bitter and lonely man.

The book sales from In Cold Blood earned Capote $2 million within its first year, making the author a financial and critical success. Truman was fascinated with the life that was led by the rich and social elite and longed for that lifestyle. Capote was also a heavy “Gossip hound” being involved in both hearing it and sharing the gossip personally. “Answered Prayers” revealed a considerable amount of gossip concerning Truman’s close friends, however, this book involving the revealing of friend’s secrets and resulted in Capote losing his self-esteem and created considerable animosity with previously close acquaintances. Capote had an ability to befriend and confide in such beauties as Babe Paley or Marilyn Monroe, after which they were mocked by Truman in print. This forsaken friendship must have challenged his sanity as being popular was an important trait for Capote.

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