Did Capote really care about Perry Smith?
In the 2005 film Capote, we see that while Truman Capote was talking/interviewing Perry Smith, he got really close to him. But, whenever Perry asked him if he had started the book (which he asked quite a few times), Truman lied and said he had barely written anything.
Why did he lie to Perry if he had grown to care for him? Was the caring part an act to get a book?
Best Answer
In the film, he certainly didn't care.
He seduced Perry and betrayed him. He deliberately lied about the title of his book (as telling Perry the truth would have shown he was much less sympathetic than he was). He also refused to help Perry get a new lawyer for his appeals (as he wanted their execution for his book's ending).
So he lied to get close to Perry to help write his book.
This seems to echo real life. The Guardian had an article on the film where they commented:
The powerful scene in which the betrayed Smith yells at Capote, "What's the name of your book?" is based on a letter the real Perry Smith wrote to Capote on 12 April 1964: "I've been told that the book is to be coming off the press and to be sold after our executions. And that book IS entitled 'IN COLD BLOOD.' Whose [sic] fibbing?? Someone is, that's apparent."
Pictures about "Did Capote really care about Perry Smith?"
How does Capote feel about Perry?
These references imply that Capote did not believe Perry and Dick were of sound mind and body during the murders. We must keep in mind Capote spoke with the convicts for all the years they were on death row, and created a relationship with both of them, especially Perry Smith.Is Perry friends with Capote?
24 January (1965): Truman Capote to Perry Smith During research for his non-fiction novel In Cold Blood, Truman Capote and Perry Smith, one of the murderers, developed an intimate friendship.Why does Capote have such great sympathy for Perry?
Throughout the book, Capote creates sympathy for Perry Smith while claiming the justice system is flawed in the way it punishes the wrong people. Perry Smith did not live the happy childhood that he deserved, abandoned by his family at a young age he was forced to live at a terrible orphanage.How does Capote humanize the killers?
Truman Capote finds different ways to humanize the killers throughout his novel In Cold Blood. He begins this novel by explaining the town of Holcomb and the Clutter family. He makes them an honest, loving, wholesome family that play a central role in the town.Truman Capote and Perry Smith
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: cottonbro, cottonbro, EKATERINA BOLOVTSOVA, Kampus Production