Capote's Writing Style

Capote consistently uses great use of phrasing that builds tension for the reader and foreshadows to coming events. Many times, he includes discreet “reminders” to prompt the reader on what they already know. He continuously gives subtle hints to the killings, such as “this final day of her life” (30), or “headed for home and the day’s work, unaware that it would be his last” (13), or “It was the dress in which she was to be buried” (56). All of these subtle reminders to the reader increase tension and anxiousness. In addition to these foreshadowing’s of the Clutters’ “last days”, Capote gives many discreet hints on the side of Perry and Dick. For example, he mentions him stealing the gun from his father, their search for gloves, hosiery and rope. These details build unease and apprehension in the readers to get to the main event. All of his little included components strategically lead the reader to what is to come. Also, because the timing of the book switches around from before to after the event, the reader is sometimes ahead of the characters, having ideas of what is going to happen, but not when. The switch from the past to the present breaks up the story by making the reader wait for what is coming. Capote’s style of writing makes it easy to get hooked on and interested. Such phrases consist of, “the car ‘crept’ forward” (57), as well as, “Which meant they ‘must’ be home” (58), and “but the line had been cut” (60). When reading expressions like this, my nerves built and I wanted to find out what happened. These little details and small pieces of knowledge were for me the most hooking part. He not only gives descriptions and things about the Clutters, Perry and Dick, but also about all of the people that the murder effects; the whole community. He describes the affect on them and what is going on, such as, “the family never locked their doors” (59), and “Abandon her duties for the first time. This was news that Myrt must hear at once” (67). He gets across to the audience what is going on at every moment and what everyone is thinking and most importantly how everyone is affected. As an author, he communicates this through his foreshadowing and subtle portrayals.