Characterization Of Holcomb In Truman Capote's In Cold Blood

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In the excerpt from the opening of In Cold Blood, Truman Capote characterizes the village of Holcomb as a monotonous town described as “out there” on dry, flat Kansas land. Most people would not consider Holcomb as a desirable town to live in, unless they are concerned about their children’s education. Capote portrays Holcomb with the use of imagery, tone and selection of detail. “The village of Holcomb stands on the high wheat plains of western Kansas, a lonesome area that other Kansans call ‘out there.”’ In the first sentence, Capote already paints a vivid picture of Holcomb through the use of imagery. He continues to describe the town as “simply an aimless congregation of buildings” accommodated with closed, abandoned businesses, with “irrelevant signs.” Through this, the reader can imagine living in a place similar to Holcomb and put themselves in the same environment. The use of Capote’s imagery allows his audience to comprehend the setting of the passage, as if they lived there themselves. …show more content…
As a reporter, Capote does not judge the town; he simply explains the town’s features. Capote writes, “after rain, or when snowfalls thaw, the streets, unnamed, unpaved, turn from thickest dust into the direst mud.” This explains the bland characteristics of the town; however, the tone of the passage shifts in paragraph four. When Capote begins to explain the school corporation, his tone becomes enlightened. He explains how a majority of the money the townspeople earn goes towards the school. Then, in the last paragraph, the tone becomes mysterious. Capote writes, “until one morning in mid-November of 1959, few Americans-in fact, few Kansans-had ever heard of Holcomb.” This sentence helps the reader become more interested in his writing and captures their
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