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CAPOTEAmerican Literature Film Study:The Clutter Family Murders, Truman Capote, and the Birth of theNonfiction Novel
The Clutter Family
NOVEMBER 16, 1959WEALTHY FARMER, 3 OF FAMILY SLAINHolcomb, Kan., Nov. 15 (UPI)--A wealthy wheat farmer, his wife and their two young children werefound shot to death today in their home. They had been killed by shotgun blasts at close range afterbeing bound and gagged.The father, 48-year-old Herbert W. Clutter, was found in the basement with his son, Kenyon, 15. Hiswife Bonnie, 45, and a daughter, Nancy, 16, were in their beds.There were no signs of a struggle, and nothing had been stolen. The telephone lines had been cut."This is apparently the case of a psychopathic killer," Sheriff Earl Robinson said.Mr. Clutter was founder of the Kansas Wheat Growers Association. In 1954, President Eisenhowerappointed him to the Federal Farm Credit Board, but he never lived in Washington.The board represents the twelve farm credit districts in the country. Mr. Clutter served fromDecember, 1953, until April, 1957. He declined a reappointment.He was also a local member of the Agriculture Department's Price Stabilization Board and was activewith the Great Plains Wheat Growers Association.The Clutter farm and ranch cover almost 1,000 acres in one of the richest wheat areas.Mr. Clutter, his wife and daughter were clad in pajamas. The boy was wearing blue jeans and a T-shirt.The bodies were discovered by two of Nancy's classmates, Susan Kidwell and Nancy Ewalt.Sheriff Robinson said the last reported communication with Mr. Clutter took place last night about9:30 P.M., when the victim called Gerald Van Vleet, his business partner, who lives near by. Mr. VanVleet said the conversation had concerned the farm and ranch.Two daughters were away. They are Beverly, a student at Kansas University, and Mrs. Donald G.Jarchow of Mount Carroll, Ill.
The Clutter Family Funeral
THE VICTIMS:The Clutter Family
THE MURDERERS:Dick Hickock & Perry Smith
Truman Capote and Perry Smith
Ms. Lloyd’s puppy dog, Sir Romeo Tito Capote
The Birth of a New Genre: The Nonfiction Novel Capote takes credit for creating what he calls the “nonfiction novel.” The nonfiction novel depicts real eventsnarrated with techniques of fiction. The non-fiction novel isan otherwise loosely-defined and flexible genre. Hints of this type of novel existed before Capote, but thenon-fiction narrative, as it is now referred to, is consideredto have been born with the publication of In Cold Blood.
In Cold Blood 1966 Author Truman Capote (1924-1984) spent at least 6 years composing it Born in New Orleans to a 17-yr. old mother, grew up in Monroeville,Alabama with author and friend, Harper Lee Celebrated publication: Frank Sinatra reportedly wanted to play a partin the film version of In Cold Blood Capote criticized for not doing enough to help the killers escape thedeath penalty: Capote, the cold-blooded Film version (1967) features Robert Blake, later accused of murderhimself Book is said to have “killed” Capote; he wrestled with guilt andalcoholism until his death at 59 5’3 gay man in an age of permitted homophobia Hoffman wins Best Actor playing Capote in Kansas (2005)
Truman Capote Biography Born in New Orleans and spending most of his early childhood with his aunts anddistant cousins in Alabama, Truman Capote would always maintain a deep connectionwith the south, even after becoming the center of attention in Manhattan high society. Capote was born Truman Streckfus Persons on September 30, 1924 to Lillie Mae Faulkand Arch Persons. Lillie Mae (who would later abandon her southern roots and changeher name to Nina) was always looking for a way to climb the social ladder. Her parentsdied when she was young and she was raised be her cousins in Alabama, a situation shealways despised. When she caught a glimpse of an escape out of her life by marryingArch Persons, she took it. Life with Arch was not much better as the smooth talking manfrom the south did little to raise the social standing of Lillie Mae. The fact that Truman Capote was born at all is a bit of a miracle, and he owes this to hisstern and dedicated cousin, Jennie Faulk, Jennie had raised Lillie Mae and the two oftenbattled over the life Lillie Maw was living. Lillie Mae's pregnancy was one of those battlesand would become the most important for Truman. On finding out that she waspregnant, Lillie Mae returned to her southern home and sought an abortion. Adamantlyopposed, Jennie finally won and Lillie Mae accepted her responsibility as a mother.
Truman Capote Biography Lillie Mae's early rejection of Truman was to be a sign of how her relationship with her son wouldremain throughout his life. Abandoned by his mother with his cousins, Lillie Mae was free to beginseparating herself from her husband Arch. Arch was not any more of a father to Truman than LillieMae was a mother. After he and Lillie Mae separated and divorced in 1931, Arch agreed to spend thesummer's with Truman, but instead traveled the country in search of his next big deal. Lillie Mae,now free to try again to reach social elevation, found what she was looking for in Joseph Capote. Sheand Capote married and she moved to New York City with Joe to begin her new life, a life that rarelyincluded her son. Truman may not have found much love from his parents, but he did find it in his cousins who raisedhim, especially in his elderly cousin Sook he looked after him. Sook would become the subject ofseveral of Truman's stories, including a Christmas Memory. Truman also had the good fortune of meeting a friend in his southern neighbor, Harper Lee (To Killa Mockingbird). Truman was the basis for Lee's character, Dill, in her famous book and Truman isrumored to have helped Lee write the novel. The two remained friends throughout and Lee wouldlater accompany Truman in his research about the Kansas murders that would become In ColdBlood. In 1933, Truman's dream to join his mother in New York finally came true. After winning solecustody of Truman in court, Lillie Mae took her son to live with her and Joe in the social capitol ofthe world. Joe would soon adopt Truman and in 1935, Truman's name became Truman GarciaCapote. Truman's dream of a fabulous life in New York was quickly shattered as his mother stillcontinued to push her son away and would continually berate him about his increasingly noticeablelack of masculinity.
Truman Capote and Harper Lee
Capote the film Capote (2005) is a biographical film about TrumanCapote that follows the events during the writing ofCapote’s nonfiction novel In Cold Blood. The movie is based on the biography Capote by GeraldClark.
Film Study Films can be much more than entertainment; they can alsohelp students better understand themselves, their culture,and other forms of media. Consider the scene analysis framework as you view the film: Why did the director chose the setting,lighting, camera angles, and music andwhat these choices do to create thescene's tone?
Truman was the basis for Lee's character, Dill, in her famous book and Truman is rumored to have helped Lee write the novel. The two remained friends throughout and Lee would later accompany Truman in his research about the Kansas murders that would become In Cold Blood. In 1933, Truman'
