A Christmas Memory By Truman Capote

“A Christmas Memory” by Truman Capote, is a story about Buddy, a seven year-old boy. His best friend in the story is an old, simple woman. Amidst the November chill, in Alabama, in the early 1940’s Buddy finds his non-traditional friend. Capote details their friendship as they prepare for the upcoming holiday. The author uses setting, characterization, and mood to show how the value of friendship surpasses materialistic wealth.” Using a calm setting, the author exhibits harmony between Buddy and his friend. The imagery of the setting shows how little the two have, but also how happy they are. Thus, the impeccable detail the author uses throughout the whole story reveals the beauty Buddy and his friend find all around them despite their poverty:

As a result, it demonstrates that Buddy and his friend are experiencing a lovely Christmas memory together. Consequently, despite their hardships, they still enjoy the trivial things, like cutting down a Christmas tree in the cold. It’s a moment that they both will remember for a lifetime. As Buddy and his friend start baking fruit cakes for Christmas presents a magical feeling drifts over them: “The black stove, stoked with coal and firewood, glows like a lighted pumpkin. Eggbeaters whirl, spoons spin round in bowls of butter and sugar, vanilla sweetens the air, ginger spices it; melting, nose-tingling odors saturate the kitchen,

Buddy’s friend’s deprivation is detailed by Capote, “A woman with shorn white hair is standing at the kitchen window. She is wearing tennis shoes and a shapeless gray sweater over a summery calico dress. She is small and sprightly, like a bantam hen; but due to a long youthful illness, her shoulders are pitifully hunched.” Despite her appearance, the youth and joy of the woman are shown as she is cooking Christmas gifts with her best friend: “My friend waltzes round the stove, the hem of her poor calico skirt pinched between her fingers as though it were a party dress.” Regardless of her lack of wealth, she is still able to find delight in the accompaniment of her comrade. Establishing a charitable mood, Capote describes Buddy and his friend as they endeavor to make gifts for their friends; each other. His friend said, “But I feel so bad, Buddy. I wanted so bad to give you a bike. I tried to sell my cameo papa gave me. Buddy.” This quote reveals how selfless Buddy’s friend is. Nevertheless, she was willing to sacrifice her precious belonging, despite not having many, to bring happiness to her friend. The author illustrates how valuable her friendship is and what she is willing to surrender for it. Therefore, their friendship is all they need to get them through