Perry Capote Rhetorical Analysis

Capote’s use of colorful imagery puts the reader into Perry’s shoes, giving them a new perspective of the complexity of Perry’s mind and emotions. Perry’s dream begins with a clear image of himself, center stage under a spotlight at a nightclub. Despite the audience’s lack of attentiveness and enthusiasm, Perry begins to play. The descriptions Capote gives of Perry transport the reader into the audience at the performance, allowing them to experience his emotions and hear the music playing. “…Wearing a white top hat and a white tuxedo…playing…a harmonica, a guitar, a banjo, [the] drums, sang…and tap-danced up a short flight of…steps” (pg.319). This quote paints a clear picture of a theatre professional at a typical night show, but this one

As Perry looks into the audience, waiting for any acknowledgement of the performance, he realizes that no one in the crowd is capable of responding. They are all helpless and emotionless, stuck in the eternity of death, a harsh reality that Perry would be facing soon. Capote then guides the reader out of Perry’s dream and into the nightmare that he is living. The strong descriptions in this passage make Perry’s rage towards his father evident, although the reader catches a glimpse of humanity when Perry clings onto the appreciation of being able to feel emotion at all. “...But his mind preserved it, for the few crude words had resurrected him emotionally...and reminded him that he was still...alive” (pg. 320). This scene captures Perry in a vulnerable state of mind, portraying to the readers that he is still human and that he still has feelings. This increases the reader’s sympathy for Perry because it is human nature to attach emotions, guilt and a sense of fairness to everything. When the reader gets a glimpse of Perry aching to feel alive while he can, it makes them want to fight for his life because they are experiencing his remorse with