Murder by a Twisted Mind: A Look Into the Life and Works of Truman Capote
Drugs, sex, parties, abuse, and scandal. While this may sound like the storyline of a soap opera or a song on the Top 40 Music Hits, these things were actually a large part of author Truman Capote’s life. Truman Capote was an author who wrote a large number of incredible books, films, and musicals in his lifetime. Capote was able to captivate all types of readers with his wit, charm, suspense, and humor. Not only were Capote’s stories incredible, but he also led a lavish life, or so it seemed from the outside. Truman Capote was a very powerful writer and man. Capote’s childhood and background, literary accomplishments, and writing techniques truly made him a one of a …show more content…
He made friends with a group that would come to his house to drink, dance, and smoke. At night they would sneak into popular clubs in New York City. He chose to party instead of study (www.biography.com). While in Greenwich, his mother’s drinking habit worsened. In 1942, his family moved to Manhattan. As a teen, he worked for The New Yorker magazine as a copyboy. He tried to get his stories published there, but failed (www.biography.com). In 1952, Joe Capote was arrested for embezzling his company’s money and served a year in jail. Because of this, Nina committed suicide in 1954 (www.encyclopediaofalabama.org). Eventually, Capote became a famous author. Unfortunately his life of parties and fame turned to the dark side. Towards the end of his career, Capote published chapters from one of his unpublished books. These chapters, however, unveiled many of his socialite friend’s secrets. Enraged by this betrayal, many of his friends left him (www.biography.com). Losing his friends and social status, Capote became very depressed and began using alcohol and cocaine in great amounts (www.encyclopediaofalabama.org). After being hospitalized for an overdose, he moved in with one of the few friends he had left. He died shortly after on August 25, 1984. (www.biography.com). It is quite clear that Capote lived a complicated and intriguing …show more content…
One of Capote’s most famous writings was a non-fiction novel titled In Cold Blood, which he spent six years writing (www.encyclopediaofalabama.org). This book is the true story of a murder case. Four members of the Clutter Family were murdered in their home. It took over five years to condemn the two killers due to there being no motive or clues (Capote Second Cover). The second cover of In Cold Blood states, “ In Cold Blood is the story of the lives and deaths of these six people. It has already been hailed as a masterpiece.” In Cold Blood was written with a large amount of detail. Truman thoroughly paints pictures of action throughout the book. One example of this is in the quote: “ Then, with the dog running ahead of him, he moved southward toward the fields, lion-colored now, luminously golden with after-harvest stubble” (Capote 12). The story also holds a large amount of suspense and a great deal of foreshadowing. Capote states in the novel, “ Then, touching the brim of his cap, he headed for home and the day’s work, unaware that it would be his last” (Capote 13). This is a great example of foreshadowing within the story. In Cold Blood truly captivates audiences. Another book by Truman Capote is Music for Chameleons. In this story, the first part consists of true stories from his
Drugs, sex, parties, abuse, and scandal. While this may sound like the storyline of a soap opera or a song on the Top 40 Music Hits, these things were actually a large part of author Truman Capote’s life. Truman Capote was an author who wrote a large number of incredible books, films, and musicals in his lifetime. Capote was able to captivate all types of readers with his wit, charm, suspense, and humor. Not only were Capote’s stories incredible, but he also led a lavish life, or so it seemed from the outside. Truman Capote was a very powerful writer and man. Capote’s childhood and background, literary accomplishments, and writing techniques truly made him a one of a …show more content…
He made friends with a group that would come to his house to drink, dance, and smoke. At night they would sneak into popular clubs in New York City. He chose to party instead of study (www.biography.com). While in Greenwich, his mother’s drinking habit worsened. In 1942, his family moved to Manhattan. As a teen, he worked for The New Yorker magazine as a copyboy. He tried to get his stories published there, but failed (www.biography.com). In 1952, Joe Capote was arrested for embezzling his company’s money and served a year in jail. Because of this, Nina committed suicide in 1954 (www.encyclopediaofalabama.org). Eventually, Capote became a famous author. Unfortunately his life of parties and fame turned to the dark side. Towards the end of his career, Capote published chapters from one of his unpublished books. These chapters, however, unveiled many of his socialite friend’s secrets. Enraged by this betrayal, many of his friends left him (www.biography.com). Losing his friends and social status, Capote became very depressed and began using alcohol and cocaine in great amounts (www.encyclopediaofalabama.org). After being hospitalized for an overdose, he moved in with one of the few friends he had left. He died shortly after on August 25, 1984. (www.biography.com). It is quite clear that Capote lived a complicated and intriguing …show more content…
One of Capote’s most famous writings was a non-fiction novel titled In Cold Blood, which he spent six years writing (www.encyclopediaofalabama.org). This book is the true story of a murder case. Four members of the Clutter Family were murdered in their home. It took over five years to condemn the two killers due to there being no motive or clues (Capote Second Cover). The second cover of In Cold Blood states, “ In Cold Blood is the story of the lives and deaths of these six people. It has already been hailed as a masterpiece.” In Cold Blood was written with a large amount of detail. Truman thoroughly paints pictures of action throughout the book. One example of this is in the quote: “ Then, with the dog running ahead of him, he moved southward toward the fields, lion-colored now, luminously golden with after-harvest stubble” (Capote 12). The story also holds a large amount of suspense and a great deal of foreshadowing. Capote states in the novel, “ Then, touching the brim of his cap, he headed for home and the day’s work, unaware that it would be his last” (Capote 13). This is a great example of foreshadowing within the story. In Cold Blood truly captivates audiences. Another book by Truman Capote is Music for Chameleons. In this story, the first part consists of true stories from his