Journalism as a Truman Capote’s literary strategy

Abstract

This thesis studies Truman Capote's nonfiction texts: In Cold Blood, The Dogs Bark and Music for Chameleons. The analysis addresses two aspects: the work method and the use of narrative techniques. It will be reviewed if these points meet the requirements for the result to be considered a journalistic work. Compared to previous studies based on the premise that Capote introduced literary tools into his journalistic work, the contribution of this thesis is the study of the exercise of the profession of journalist. The study concludes that Capote's work cannot be considered strictly journalism, since he never practiced it following the usual rules of the profession. The objective of his non-fiction texts was always narrative and journalism was not a purpose, but a strategy to achieve his literary ends.