In Cold Blood: Syntax

Syntax:

·        "IT IS NO SHAME TO HAVE A DIRTY FACE--THE SHAME COMES WHEN YOU KEEP IT DIRTY" (140).

Because this sentence is in all caps it signifies the importance and urgency of its message. When Perry’s sister, Barbara, wrote a letter to him she tells him that he should not be worried about his past wrong-doings, but of his current wrong-doings. The capitals make this sentence stand out and notify the readers that it is important. This is an important part of the novel because it is an advice and its bold capital letters create a tone of urgency. It also makes the style more bold and authoritative.

·        "’...Once a thing is set to happen, all you can do is hope it won't. Or will-depending. As long as you live, there's always something waiting, and even if it's bad, and you know it's bad, what can you do? You can't stop living.’" (92)

Perry was talking to Dick about why the murders even occurred and realizes that he cannot control himself. The syntax in this sentence is unique because of the use of multiple commas, questions, and sentence fragments. The ‘or will-depending’ shows that Perry’s train of thought was choppy. It can be inferred in the sentence that Perry knows that he has committed a sin, yet believes that nothing can be done about it, that it’s a “thing set to happen.” He believes that fate will only stop him from what he is doing; he cannot control his urges by himself. This excerpt thus creates a tone of reverie and contemplation.

·        "A year ago, when they first encountered each other, he'd thought Perry 'a good guy' if a bit 'stuck on himself,' 'sentimental,' too much 'the dreamer.'(54)

When Dick first met Perry, he had an initial thought that Perry was a good guy. However, once Dick heard about Perry’s homicide he realized that Perry would be a fit accomplice for his plan to murder the Clutter family. The use of quotes creates a sense of sarcasm. One reason why Capote used quotes was to emphasize the irony in this sentence. The fact that Perry’s first impression was that of a “good guy” is ironic because Perry had murdered an entire family. The quotes create an ironic tone because Perry is not what he initially seemed to be.