Don't Judge a Book By its Title by Initha

Don't Judge a Book By its Title by Initha - February 2015 Scholarship Essay

Reading, I've always been told, is "good for you." Growing up, books have always been a part of my life. Therefore, when I looked toward high school, I was excited to read the classics that I grew up hearing about, like Catcher in the Rye, Wuthering Heights, and Romeo and Juliet. During my time in high school, one book, In Cold Blood, stood out among the rest. Although I had to read it for a writing assignment, the certain freedom I was granted for being able to choose what I wanted to read made this book all the more special. In Cold Blood is an entertaining read that delves into history and teaches valuable life lessons, although I concede that this book may not be literally relevant to the normal American teenager's life, considering this book details the day of and the following investigation one of the most brutal multi-homicides in recent history.

In Cold Blood differs from my usual book "type," which is the typical popular young-adult book today, set in a future dystopian society where the teenage protagonist with a dark past and special ability becomes the unlikely hero in a dire and fantastical situation. In contrast, In Cold Blood is a true crime, nonfiction recollection by Truman Capote of the murders of the Clutter family by Dick Hickock and Perry Smith. Although at first I was wary about reading a nonfiction book about tragic murders, I was pleasantly surprised. In Cold Blood not only changed my opinion of the nonfiction genre, which I previously imagined to be dull, textbook-like stories, but also it opened my eyes to how things portrayed in the media or by certain people are not always what they seem. On the outside, the Clutter family's murder was a horrific, unwarranted act committed by immoral, unflinching people. However, as Truman Capote discovered, Smith and Hickcock were just petty criminals burdened by harsh, poor lifestyles and wanted what the Clutters had: an easy life. These people will be remembered in history as murderers, but in reality, what had happened was not what they intended. The Clutter family's murder was truly a tragedy, but also, Smith and Hickcock were also part of their own tragedy. What began as a simple robbery attempt turned into a one of the most horrific tragedies of the twentieth century in America.

Speaking from experience, teenagers will find themselves at odds with their parents, their peers, and themselves as they try to find their own voice in society. As children grow, they begin to step out of their parents’ shadows and into the real world, where corruption, greed, violence, and tragedy exist. As a teenager in a rapidly changing society, my world views, of course, differs from those of my parents. Books were an essential part in determining my personality and societal views. In Cold Blood was one of those books that truly made an impact on me because it was an entertaining read and I gained valuable life lessons that will become useful beyond my years in high school. My reading of In Cold Blood opened my eyes to the humanity that exists in all people. Although we differ in race, age, and gender, each of us experience similar financial hardships, public scrutiny, and personal difficulties. Also, in an increasingly superficial society, teenagers must cope with being judged on first glance. As illustrated in Capote’s In Cold Blood, however, people are not always what they are labeled to be. Although people are quick to judge others, in order to fully grasp the idea of one’s character, one must look past the appearance and look for the details of one’s personality. For example, Perry Smith was burdened by a dysfunctional and tragic family and a hard financial situation, which contributed to his eventual outcome as a criminal. If Capote did not investigate the Clutters’ murders, Perry Smith’s personal story would have become lost, and he will be forever known as simply “one of the men who killed the Clutters.” Due to In Cold Blood, Perry Smith, along with Dick Hickcock, could explain their side of the story and their relatively normal intentions of becoming rich and having easier lives. As teenagers struggle to find our place in the world once we leave that safe haven of normal high school and childhood, one of Capote’s messages in In Cold Blood resonates. In Cold Blood displays that our pasts affect us, but it is our present-day choices that define who we are as people, not what others say of us. As we continue to grow as people, we leave our teenage years in high school behind and may feel isolated from society. At the end of the day, however, we are all people whose intentions and appearances may differ, but we all have the same goal: to be happy.