Journal 1 9.8.15

“I have spent my life judging the distance betweenAmerican reality and the American dream.”

–Bruce Springsteen

Write Springsteen’s quote in your own words. What is hesaying about the American Dream? How closely does his view of the American Dream align with American societytoday? How closely does Springsteen’s view align with yourvision of the American Dream? Respond in a wellconstructed paragraph (6-8 sentences).

Journal 2 9.11.15

In well-constructed paragraph (8-10sentences), explain how the Clutter family ofHolcomb, Kansas espouse the 1950sAmerican values of conformity,conservatism, and temperance. Use your reading of Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood“The Last to See Them Alive” to guide yourresponse.

Journal 3 09.15.15

Truman Capote asserts that the American Dream isavailable to only a select few; and once achieved, it can bequickly stripped away. Explain how Dick and Perry’sphysical deformities, psychological issues, and sexualpreferences make them social outcasts, and thereforeunable to achieve the American Dream. Also explain howBonnie Clutter, who suffers from depression, and KenyonClutter, an atypical teenager, still have the AmericanDream available to them despite their “oddities.” Use yourreading of “The Last to See Them Alive” to guide yourresponse. Respond in a well-constructed paragraph (8-10sentences).

Journal 4 9.21.15

Based on your reading of “The Last to See Them Alive” and “Persons Unknown,” compare Nancy and Kenyon Clutter’s upbringing to Dick Hickock’s and Perry Smith’s family backgrounds. If Dick and Perry had been raised at River Valley Farm, do you believe their lives would have been different? Alternatively, do you believe they committed the crimes due to something ingrained in their natures? EXPLAIN your response. Respond in a well-constructed paragraph (8-10 sentences).

Journal 5 9.23/24.15

Trust is a major issue in Truman Captote’s In Cold Blood. Compare what life is like in Holcomb, Kansas before and after the murders. In what ways does the incident affect the community? It appears that Perry trusts only one person, his fellow inmate Willie Jay. What is it about Willie Jay that Perry so admires, and why does he trust him? Use specific examples from the text to support your response. Respond in a well-constructed paragraph (8-10 sentences).

Journal 6 9.28.15

In a January 16, 1977, New York Times interview with George Plimpton, Capote explains the literary value of the nonfiction novel and defines the genre: “It is a narrative form that employs all the techniques of fictional art but is nevertheless immaculately factual…” How does In Cold Blood fit this description, and in what ways does Capote artistically manipulate the story to make it a good work of literature? Respond in a well-constructed paragraph (8-10 sentences), using examples from the text to support your response.

Journal 7 9.29.15

In Cold Blood ends with these lines, “Then, starting home, Dewey walked toward the trees, and under them, leaving behind the big sky, the whisper of wind voices in the wind bent wheat.” What message do you believe Capote is trying to convey to readers with these concluding words? Respond in a well-constructed paragraph (8-10 sentences). Integrate the quote, parts of the quote, with your response.