Truman Capote

PART I: The Last to See Them Alive

1. How does Capote use the resources of language to characterize the Clutters and their farm as well as his view of Holcomb, Kansas?

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2. The final section ends with Dick at his family's home. How does Capote use imagery and irony to heighten the effect of the previous description of the discovery of the murder?

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PART II: Persons Unknown

1. What is the purpose of including the article from the Kansas City Star and Perry's immediate reaction to it?

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2. What is the effect of the parallel stories of the fictitious murder of the Black man and Dick's habit of running down dogs?

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PART III: Answer

1. What is function of the interview and narrative of Mrs. Johnson?

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2. Read carefully the section beginning, "The cider-tart odor. . .". What is Capote's attitude in that section and how does he establish that tone?

PART IV: The Corner

1. How does Capote develop and reveal his attitude in the description of the prison on pages 309 and 310?

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2. The last scene (at the cemetery), is the only one in the book not based on real events. Why do you think Capote felt the need to invent it? What is the effect of including that scene rather than ending the book with the executions?

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