Reporter vs. Writer

As Capote brings the tale of the Clutters to a close, we see his style and tone of writing beginning to convert into a more distant and reporter-like tone as the execution of Dick and Perry draws nearer. This ultimately forces the reader of the book to feel less connected with Dick and especially Perry as characters. They are no longer referred to as Dick and Perry, but as Smith and Hitchcock. Although for this switch in writing styles, Capote presents his audience with one last connecting moment with the characters of “In Cold Blood”. As a reader of Capote’s novel, you can see the attachment that he has developed over time to Perry in his writing; Capote presenting the executions of Dick and Perry through the eyes of Dewey. “In Cold Blood” overall, was Capote’s way of presenting the case in a more personal way to the minds of the people. It, in ways, was a second trial for Dick and Perry, ending with a personal verdict from each reader of the tale.