A Minute-Long Caesura

Since the video is intended to give a message wordlessly, I'll say nothing. So here it goes. Enjoy.

V for Vendetta?

On page 52, Nancy's boyfriend gives a thorough description on the last moment he saw the Clutter's before the murder, which I now know will happen. I believe one can relate to nowadays, where people tend to be part of drama. As soon as there is an issue, everyone tries to be involved. About a month ago I was riding my car when a lady began crossing the streets without looking to see what was coming. Unfortunately, the car in the lane beside ours crashed into her. The woman didn't die, she was barely hurt, but every person around had to give their opinion about how everything happened. The hurt woman was dazed and wanted to leave but people didn't care; they were trying to convince the woman to sue. People just exaggerated the events. I bet Nancy's boyfriend mourned her but it's not relevant that when "[he] thinks back, [he thinks] someone must have been hiding there. Maybe down among the trees. Somebody just waiting for [him] to leave." Now I feel he's just trying to be part of this interesting event in Holcomb.

Imagine the effects of a crime like this on a podunk like Holcomb. Chaos! Who can you trust, now that everyone seems guilty? Where once you saw neighbors today you picture murders. It's just like a game of Clue, everybody's pointing fingers.

And for Perry and Dick, as I have read their thoughts I think they might have planned the murder scene oh-too-well to leave evidence behind... I sure hope they get caught like in CSI where the police finds the most simple proof and  it helps solve the case. I actually don't want to go to sleep now because these descriptions about the scene gave me chills, but also caught my attention just like it attracted the media to Holcomb. 

Good To Go

Two blogposts ago I wondered what would be the reasoning behind Dick and Perry's involvement in the murders if they were the killers. On page 43 I found what might lead to the answer. What is Perry's flaw? "Explosive emotional reaction out of all proportion to the occasion. Why? Why this unreasonable anger at the sight of others who are happy or content, this growing contempt for the people and the desire to hurt them?" (43) If that isn't enough proof, I don't know where I will find it. Up to now, all I can do is hope Willie Jay exerted enough influence on Perry for him no to be a killer. 

On the other hand, I also consider Perry. After a long wait, he missed his idol's departure. I would feel crestfallen, and actually relate perfectly. Just a few days ago, tickets for the Taylor Swift Red Tour  became available for pre-sale. My mom didn't believe me when I told her we had to order fast. 45,000 tickets are taken and I've got none. Same feeling for missing someone we admire. Hang on there sunshine, you're friggin' special. If I didn't die, you're GTG.

Before this encounter with my soulmate (only when it comes to lamenting that person you really admire), I found an interesting sentence. To put you in context, Dick and Perry considered asking nuns for black stockings but talked each other out of it to avoid the bad luck these holy women are supposed to bring. "Some others were the number 15, red hair, white flowers, priests crossing a road, snakes appearing in a dream." (42) Who has ever heard of white flowers bringing bad luck? I'd be dead by now! And red hair? I'm sure that genetic mutation, like any other, will not influence luck. Being born with red hair isn't an omen of any sort. Not to mention priests crossing a road. What are they supposed to do, jump over it? It seems funny that two of these forewarnings are related to Church. GTG, but beware these unworldly signs!

Who'd Have Known

When I hear the word "spellbound," I think of fantasy and vampires, or a book I read last summer, or was it Spirit bound? Anyways, the last thing I would think about is the National Spelling Bee, but there's great wordplay in the title. 

When watching the documentary I can relate to Holcomb. Perryton, Texas is not as small as Holcomb used to be in the 1960's but has only 8,802 people. In relation to nowadays, that's like nobody. It's four times the amount of students at CNG. I swear I'd get so bored I'd start flipping tables or something. Moving on, in both bubble blanks, o podunks (yes Mr., I used your words!), people have very little to do, which often leads to children enrolling into activities like these. When the first child won, her school and many others celebrated with her. Wow, did those knows travel fast! This event shows that everyone knows other's business in these places. Aren't Perry and Dick intimidated by this, or are they careless about what people think of them? They already are margined and seen to be very lonely, except for each other's presence.

In my class we also discussed a song titled "In The Garden." It's a Christian song. What I find interesting is that Capote just placed some lyrics in a random place, but in the next chapter he disguised them. Why would he do this? Who is the audience? Had I not researched the lyrics, I might never have realized this! This also implies these forgotten places are religious. Who'd have known. 

Those Heroes That Avoid Leotards

Ever since I didn't finish the essay in class, I've been in ineffable despondency, or a great state of low spirit because of hopelessness on my grade. I just used one of my vocabulary words. Oh yeah. Into some more literary business, as I read about the 4H- Club on page 34, all I kept thinking about was Colombia. If the state invested more money on programs like this one, maybe the crime rates would go down. Once again, the state already invests in programs like these. Maybe they are not even working because a city like Bogotá is a whole other scale compared to Holcomb.   

Mr. Clutter reminds me of Take the Lead's Pierre Dulaine. The idea is similar. A man who sacrifices his time to help children stay out of trouble. I feel glad to see people like these exist, even in fiction. Catalina Escobar is a clear example of sacrifice to help others succeed. She has scarified time and money to help more than 84,000 less-fortunate people, educating them and helping them succeed in life. 

Back to the book. My group and I had many doubts when it comes to Dick and Perry. First off, are they the murderers? They sure sound suspicious, buying "a hundred yards long [rope]-quite enough for 12." Twelve what? Persons? Dogs? Fishes? Also, what is their reason to be planning a massive murder? Both men suffered accidents, do they seek revenge from those who were involved in the accidents? Lastly, I have a prediction to make. Capote has never directly stated Dick and Perry are the murders so there is a slight chance everything they are doing is for something other than going on a killing free. Let's just wait and see!

It's All About The Wordplay

Why would Capote narrate so thoroughly and give so many details in a chapter titled "The Last Who Saw Them Alive?" Exactly because they were the last people who saw those six who we know will die, before they do. The long sentences, syntax, and specific descriptions, the way the author writes, supports what Capote is showing.

The word choice is also specific. The words he uses and order in which he places them makes me consider his sentences different from how most people today speak. I question myself whether it is a certain accent from Ohio, the sentence construction from 1966, or just Capote's style. Some of the words he included that I didn't understand were:

Austere: strict or severe appearance

Gewgaws: worthless, showy things

Mongrel: dog without a particular breed

These I wrote down without research because I remember from my job as a Lexicologist. I'll just give myself a pat on the back.

Tidings: announcements

Hued: color or shade

Keening: wail in grief for a dead person

Scuttling: Run hurriedly or furtively with short quick steps

I actually think these last two words sound mysterious... somebody keening means somebody has died and any person scuttling could be a suspect... hmm.

Lastly and severely out of topic, I found a reference to Gulliver's Travels, which I remember from the multiple choice test I took last week, on page 26: "Presently, more calmly, Mrs. Clutter asked, "Do you like miniature things? Tiny things? " and invited JOlene into the dining room to inspect the shelves of whatnot on which were arranged assorted Lilliputian gewgaws..."

Last thing, I promise. It's funny that Mrs. Clutter, who is a wreck of a person and owns a collection of mismatched things, has a last name that is defined as "a collection of things lying around in an untidy mess." It's all about the wordplay.

In Capote Blood

In Cold Blood. Even before I began discussing the book I already expected murder to be part of it. Surprisingly, I had read the first excerpt and never suspected murder to be part of it! The whole text is cause and effect, but so are small pieces of it. Hard to believe the book is the result of combining various essays, all of them following the pattern of cause and effect. For example, it took Capote eight pages to introduce the first person who will die. Six to go!

This is a clear example of the author's style. He could just have said, Herbert Clutter is one of the six people who will die, but no, his style is much more complicated (or elaborate) than that.

As soon as Capote introduces the five hunters from Ohio, he talks about Clutter dying. I'm sure their mysterious appearance is relevant. I'm also sure Capote has nerve. Nowadays, I'd think twice or even three times, before allowing strangers into my land (or home). Crazy people back then. Sincerely, I like how trust was gained. Today one can't even trust siblings.