Truman Capote: life and literary legacy

Capote

Truman Capote Outline

Capote was in many ways a secretive man, unable to truly share himself with others, and writing was a method for him to release/expel his inner demons.

Capote was at once flamboyant yet always somewhat secretive and sensitive regarding his sexuality.

Learned behavior due to the time of his upbringing and life (not accepted)

Solitary in childhood -- didn't share much with anyone

Friend/critic Newton miserable in sham marriage and afterwards

Flamboyant in demeanor and certain aspects of writing without being explicit in interviews, etc.

Notoriety of Other rooms, other voices

Unabashedly enjoyed company alone with other men but didn't really discuss sexuality

Writing allowed him an outlet for all of his personal secrets while life did not A. Outlet both early and late in life

Capote recalls beginning to write at age eleven

Last book never finished -- gossip about people he knew

B. Kept in the middle of excitement without needing to reveal himself

1. Comments about living in New York City

2. Extravagant tours around Europe filled with details of others but little of himself

Truman Capote: A Man of Secrets

Truman Capote was in many ways a secretive man, unable to truly share himself with others, and his writing was a method for him to release and expel his inner demons. For instance, the homosexual author was at once flamboyant yet always somewhat secretive and sensitive regarding his sexuality. This was in part learned behavior due both to the details of his upbringing and the period of his life, in which homosexuality was not accepted. Capote was very solitary in his childhood and didn't share much about himself with anyone (PBS par. 2). In his adult life, his friend and English critic Newton Arvin, who was also homosexual, was miserable in sham marriage and afterwards in life, perhaps influencing Capote in both enjoying yet remaining secretive about his sexuality (Clarke 115). Capote was also very flamboyant in his demeanor and certain aspects of writing without being explicit in interviews and conversations; the notoriety of his book Other Rooms, Other Voices and its provocative photo of the author is one oft-cited example (PBS par. 3). He also enjoyed company alone with other men but didn't really discuss sexuality (Clarke).