Using Bobby Rupp's testimony to interrupt the story of the killers creates an abrupt and deeply personal shift of focus. His description of Nancy, his on-again/off-again girlfriend, shows how much the Clutter's were cared for and respected in the community: "Nancy was wearing socks and soft slippers, blue jeans, I think a green sweater" -- Rupp's memory of details helps the reader to clearly picture this victim (51). The abruptness of the shift in focus also mirrors the abrupt change in circumstances -- for the community, the murderers, and most obviously the Clutters themselves -- that the murders created with shocking suddenness.

3)

Capote creates a concrete and palpable tone in the section beginning "The cider-tart odor.." On page 206 of in Cold Blood by using words that evoke...

His language choices juxtapose images of life and vibrancy with those of death and rot in a way that makes the shift from one to another more important than either feeling in and of itself. For example, he mentions "Apple trees and pear trees; peach and cherry," but then goes on to describe how "the lawn was parched and shabby" (206). Capote seems to be suggesting that while life goes on, the murders have caused a sort of stagnation.
This juxtaposition also occurs in the overall ideas being presented in the section. Describing the Clutter orchard and house through Bobby's eyes, Capote is able to describe both how these things once were and how they are now. This creates the feeling of a living narrative, rather than a dead story.