Analysis Essay Final Exam

An accomplished writer, Truman Capote, in his book, In Cold Blood, published in 1960

addresses the topic of the mass murder of the Clutter family, and argues against capital

punishment. He supports his argument by illustrating the events of the murders, its effect on the

townspeople, and the story of the murderers themselves, and finally connecting it all to his own

personal views of pity for the criminals. Capotes purpose is to bring about change in order to

show the cruelty of capital punishment and its moral implications. He adopts a thoughtful tone

for his audience, the readers of In Cold Blood and others interested in the topic of murder

mystery through the use of personification and imagery.

In the beginning, Capote uses imagery to create the setting for the book and give the

audience an idea of what the setting is like for the people that live there. To demonstrate, Capote

writes, Like the waters of the river, like the motorists on the highway, and like the yellow trains

streaking down the Santa Fe tracks, drama, in the shape of exceptional happenings, had never

stopped there. (Capote, 1960) Capote used this specific type of figurative language because it

attracts the audience and gets them interested in the story, as well as the setting. Another key

point, Capote makes sure not to hint at any of the events that will take place in the future; he is

making sure to describe the town as it was before the murders, building the audience up for

suspense. With this in mind, he used this specific rhetorical device because it allowed his writing

to come alive for the audience and attract them to the narrative he is writing.

Later on in the book, Capote uses personification to make the events of the last two

chapters have an effect on the readers, making them think about what it is they are reading. With

this in mind, Capote wrote, Nye leaned against the desk and watched the landlady's long and

lacquered fingernails search a page of pencil-scribbled names. (Capote, 1960) Capote used this
type of figurative language because, not only did it work in tandem with his imagery, but it

exemplified details to the audience that became important moments in the plot. Expressively,

Capote connects his use of personification back his purpose, by personifying the ending for the

criminals, and the places where they spent their final days. In conclusion, Capote used

personification in the final chapters to emphasize certain details of the murderers capture, trial,

and imprisonment.

Capote used tropes like personification and imagery, to make the narrative both

suspenseful and thought-provoking. He used imagery to set the tone and the place of the murders

while using personification to add depth to the ending of the book. In a word, In Cold Blood

draws attention to the tragic murders of an entire family, and exposes the even more pitiful past

of the murderers.