In Cold Blood, Book Themes

The murder and trial had garnered big headlines, and many readers probably knew the details of the novel before they began reading it. Capote had to make it interesting even to people who knew the outcome--the book had to be good literature as well as be informative and accurate. The novel is saturated with details that would never have been included in a newspaper. Moreover, the details are carefully picked. Knowing that Capote compiled 8,000 pages of research, the book seems to be a very carefully edited selection of facts and descriptions. For example, very little is said about the two older Clutter daughters, although Capote doubtless interviewed them. He left them out for artistic reasons. This shows that the facts of the Clutter case were the building blocks for what was ultimately a creative work.

Themes:

The American Dream.
Herb Clutter has made a wonderful life for himself however it is destroyed when two criminals try to steal his money but end up murdering his whole family when the plan goes wrong. This shows that the american dream is fragile and can only function without criminals. 

Rural America.
The farm house is right at the heart of Holcomb, where the murder took place, it is surrounded by open fields and is a family run farm. It is upsettingly ironic that shortly after  the murder of the Clutter family, their way of life should die too. 

Religion.
The church is the centre of everyones spiritual life as well as their social life. Herb Clutter, as well as the other villagers living in Holcomb have strong beliefs that catholics should not marry methodists, this can be seen when Mr Clutter warns his daughter that she cannot marry her catholic boyfriend. 

Men and Masculinity. 
Set in 1959 it is obvious traditional views of a mans role in society will be present, there are certain ways a man should be and Herb Clutter is a perfect example of a well respected man. He doesn't drink, he works hard to provide for his family and he goes to church. Dick Hickock (one of the murderers) on the other hand is believed to fight too much and have too much sex to be respectable. 

Women and Femininity.
The women of Holcomb at this time were constrained to their gender stereotypes. They were expected to be home makers and mothers. However Bonnie Clutter doesn't conform to this as she is too ill to provide for her family and be the mother and the wife she is expected to be. 

Family.
Seen in both the Clutters strong connection and the community they live in being one big family. Family are portrayed to be unbreakable and with them you can do anything, contrasting to this is Dick Hickock and Perry Smith who don't have a family therefore resort to crime.