Question:

Part I: Find a video of Truman Capote abounds. Post the link in the forum, and tell us a little about your perception of him. How might he have fit in 1960s Kansas, and how might the cultural differences, for better or worse, affected his ability "to get the story"?

Part II: As Truman Capote got to know many of the characters involved in the story behind In Cold Blood, his depictions were undoubtedly influenced. Select one character from the movie that you believe was portrayed in a different light and discuss why you think this character was skewed. Keep in mind that there are a lot of possibilities to consider. Capote's own feelings could influence the work, the character may be too distasteful (for a variety of reasons), or the exaggeration could simply make a better read. Since we are dealing with a film, the possibility is also there that the change translates better to film. You are welcome to investigate this possibility as well. Please support your ideas. In this assignment, you may want to read other reports of the crime or excerpts from the book.

Part III. Grisham and Capote both straddle the worlds of fiction and non-fiction in their work. Which medium ( film or print) do you find to be more effective in getting an audience to care about the issue at hand? Which genre ( fiction or non-fiction) works best to engage an audience in this same way? Give an example that we haven't read/viewed in class.