Nature Of Dreams In Truman Capote's In Cold Blood

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Pages 2-3 Nature of Dreams Truman Capote writes on how for many, their lives are not perfect, and that as we have the ability to dream, those dreams will not always come true. Whether it is because of the decisions that we make or the decisions made for us, dreams will not always be achieved. The characters in stories by Truman Capote dream. At times, the characters may believe their dreams can be attainable, but for many they are not. The subject of their dreams depend on who they are as human beings. Many are good people who want what's best for themselves and those around them and attempt to achieve their dreams in a positive way. For example, in Capote's intense novel, In Cold Blood, Herb Clutter, the father and ranch owner, dreamed of and desperately wanted what was best for his children, wife, fellow Holcomb citizens, and employees. However, others are not the best people, and dream of things that can simply benefit themselves. Those same people attempt to achieve their dreams through ways that harm others. In the story, In Cold Blood, the murderers, Dick Hickock and Perry Smith, dream of living lavishly, but their dreams fail because the way they attempt to …show more content…

When Truman Capote speaks of dreams, he means that, “...dreams are misty ambitions” (Zacharias 346). That is not because the character does not attempt to achieve the dream, but because it is impossible to achieve. Many dreams are simply unattainable. For example, in Capote’s short story, Preacher’s Legend, the main character, Preacher has dreams of meeting Jesus in hopes of asking Jesus to take him so that he may die and be reunited with his wife, who has passed away. Preacher’s dream is unattainable because as much as Preacher believes he understands the bible, what he dreams of is impossible. Also, in Capote’s short story, House of Flowers, the main character dreams of marrying a perfect man. However, her dream is impossible to achieve as no one is

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