Wednesday, January 5:
Some very rich discussion about section I. Many of you were struck by Capote's ability to weave such intricate detail into his narrative. True, it's clearly a testament not only to his meticulous research, but also to his adept use of "creative license." As his audience, these details capture us and pull us into the lives of the Clutters and Dick and Perry. Some of you mentioned how Capote wields his power as a writer by appealing to ethos--he masterfully uses details, witness testimony, and other rhetorical strategies to make his audience trust his technique. Others of you pointed out that Capote appeals to pathos by making you "fall in love with the Clutters" (Staci). While he depicts them as an idyllic family, Capote is also mindful of revealing the dysfunction that is so much a part of "normal" family life. In effect, we identify with them (Shane) and think, "If this can happen to a family like that, then it can happen to any one of us." Certainly, a creepy and unsettling thought. Surprisingly, however, we also "feel" for the killers--though we clearly don't condone murder, Capote allows us to feel for Dick and Perry. As Ryan pointed out, in his descriptions of Perry, Capote draws a parallel between Perry and Herb Clutter: they never drank coffee. He introduces Perry as having similar values as the venerable Mr. Clutter--and in effect, he invokes our sympathy for Perry by reminding us of his humanity. And this is what Capote does: he forces us to question our own ideas of good and evil. "Good" and "evil" are not so clearly defined. Yet, not all of you were ready to lend your sympathies. Tanisha and Tessa both articulated that it felt "weird" to feel sympathy for cold-blooded killers. So be it. But Capote would challenge you to consider his true purpose in writing the book: what is the nature of a crime? Do we write off "crime" as something "evil" people do while the rest of us are crimeless and innocent? In other words, can good people do bad things? And vice versa? Can people ever redeem themselves for an unconscionable act?
Another point of interest came from Kendra who was struck by Capote's depiction of Dick and Perry's tattoos as they revealed two distinct characters. We spent some time re-reading pgs. 30-32 where Capote describes each of the murderers. I hadn't noticed the importance of the tattoos before. Perry's elaborate and ornate tattoos reflect who he is: thoughtful, artistic, sensitive, always has a plan. Dick's tattoos seem haphazard, more crudely drawn--just like Dick himself. I would look to see how these depictions play out throughout the rest of the book and how their distinct personalities affect their relationship with each other and their eventual downfall.
As you continue to read, consider:
1. the continued effect of the "montage," or the back-and-forth structure that Capote established in the beginning. What's the effect on his audience?
2. how Capote attempts to intellectualize AND sympathize a crime. Effect?
3. all the cool techniques of rhetoric that Capote uses. Brilliant!
Happy Reading:-)
I want to know if Perry is really as nice as he sounds or if he's just made that way because Capote became friends with him while writing the book?
ReplyDeleteGreat question Bianca. A discriminating reader may wonder how truly "objective" Capote is in his sympathetic depiction of Perry. But perhaps Perry is worthy of our sympathies--what do you think?
ReplyDeleteWell for what his childhood was shown and how detailed he explained his childhood through both the fathers eyes and Perry's eyes, it can show how Perry's childhood was both troubled and fulfilling in ways that is both showing how well he was attached to his father, an how much him and his father were alike. I think Perry knew what he was doing, in a sense he is good, but he is just getting mixed up with the wrong crowd due to his "need" for being with someone. He needed someone to go along with to help him make his decisions, someone to be there for him like his father was.
ReplyDeleteHis father knew him a while ago, not so much now. People change over time and Perry was in jail which can really change a person, so even with the information from his past I think that he's not really nice but that Capote is setting up that way. I'm also beginning to wonder who the evil mastermind is, it might not be Dick.
ReplyDeleteI think that Capote does a really good job in changing how his audience might view a killer. There were many different occasions where Capote presented a small dose of his personality and traits. I think that alone makes the book stronger.
ReplyDeleteI think that Capote does a great job trying to get us to feel sympathy for Perry and portrays him as a person who is confused about what is wrong and right. You can tell he feels remorse for what he did, but seems very confused. Although there is no excuse for murder, i think when Capote includes the letters from Perry's dad and sister, it really helps us to feel somewhat sorry for Perry. One part that really stood out to me is when we learned Perry was sent to live in an orphanage through the red cross, and the nuns abused him. He states that it is the reasoning for him hating religion and everything that has to do with it, so for me that was a big hint to a possible motive.
ReplyDeleteooopps that should be under section 2.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Elijah, Capote did a great job of in letting the reader see the killer from a different perspective. Usually when I think of killers, I think of heartless robots committing murders. Capote shows the reasons for the motives. Both men want a big break. Perry is needy and needs someone to follow, and is motivated by greed to a large degree. Dick seems to be a tyrant. He has a trouble past he created for himself, and is bitter about the lack of opportunities he had for education. Although I like Perry more than Dick, I have sympathy for both of them.
ReplyDeleteReading section 1, I felt a connection with the Clutter family. However, I also felt an understanding for the Perry and Dick. I thought it was interesting how Capote created a connection between Mr. Clutter and Perry on pg. 14, "LIke Mr. Clutter, the young man breakfasting in the cafe never drank coffee."
I thought the description of the tattoos in this section explained a lot about Dick and Perry's past in an interesting way (Pg. 31). Also, I felt sympathy for them when I learned about their car accidents. I though that the diction in this section was also remarkable and created great imagery. Words such as "collision," contracted," "maimed," and "epics."