Use Of The Death Penalty In Truman Capote's In Cold Blood

In parts of the world, the use of the death penalty or capital punishment is an ongoing controversial issue, for many people due to the brutality of the punishment. The death penalty is the act of executing an offender who is sentenced to death after their conviction by a court of law of a criminal offense. The death penalty, as seen in many people's eyes as being an understandable way of punishment, is not how the author of the chilling novel, “In Cold Blood.” felt about it.

Truman Capote makes it clear that he opposes the use of the death penalty and takes a stand on the issue through his creative work in his novel. Capote also mentions in various interviews that he did not agree with the way Perry Smith and Dick Hickock were handled at the end of the

In a 1966 article from The New York Times, Capote states “I feel that capital crimes should all be handled by Federal Courts, and that those convicted should be imprisoned in a special Federal prison where, conceivably, a life-sentence could mean, as it does not in state courts, just that”(Archives New York). Truman obviously did not approve of the execution, this may be simply because he felt it was wrong for anyone to endure or because of his close relationship with Perry. Capote’s relationship with Perry is also the reason he could not finish the book until after the execution. After the executions, it affected Capote immensely but he knew in order to feel like everything was finished, he needed to witness the punishment. A 1977 article called “Capote’s Long Ride,” states, “Truman said he could not finish the book unless he witnessed the execution—he had to personally feel it” (Capote's Long). “In Cold Blood” was ultimately finished after the executions because of Capote's need to feel fulfilled in his own way, knowing that he will have to see Perry and Dick die. Truman’s opinion of not approving of the death penalty is also highlighted in the novel. On page 245 it says, "The