In Cold Blood Analysis Essay

INTRODUCTION/COVER LETTER: The classic novel, "In Cold Blood", is based on a true story about the murder of the Clutter family in Holcomb, Kansas in 1959. The dialog acts as if it was written as a novel, even as a part of the nonfiction genre. It's known as a true crime masterpiece which pricks the psychological and emotional toll that the murder gives the readers, in America's heartland. Svein Atle Skålevåg gives a rhetorical approach to the crime novel, stating that it was a "true account of murder" and that it was also a "work of art". He then goes in depth about the questions that lead into this story, wondering "who did it?" and "who were they?". I believe that his theory is very distressed when he turns to the danger that the criminality …show more content…
He did it for sexual release, greed, a sense of ownership, basically no guilty feelings. Especially when he raped Nancy Clutter, he needed more of the sexual desire because the sex wasn’t enough, he needed to hands-on kill her. This proves Merton’s strain theory. His strain theory describes one needed to commit something in order to fit “society’s goals” - whether it is leadership, sexuality, or just being accepted by society itself. Dick committed the murders to get that gratification of “doing something” and wanting attention, and that proves Merton’s strain theory to have a lead on Dick Hickock.
CONCLUSION:
“In Cold Blood”, by Truman Capote, does an amazing job at showing the psychological and emotional depths of the Clutter family and how just one murder can lead to vigilance, fear, hope for justice. This murder sparked the hot in passion and cold in calm between the murderers in fulfilling their personal desires. Criminality can really take a toll on an individual, whether it is to fill a missing piece of your life or wanting “acceptance” from society or just for the hell of it, criminality can be very scary in our