Truman Capote Accomplishments

Truman Capote, an American novelist, scriptwriter, and dramatist, is one of the most fascinating literary figures in the 20th century. Beginning with Truman Capote’s childhood, his literary works, his perhaps most prominent novel, In Cold Blood, he was and will always be remembered as a remarkable individual. Truman Capote was brought up in an unstable and neglecting household. He was born Truman Streckfus Persons on September 30, 1924 in New Orleans, Lousiana to Archulus Persons, a charming schemer, and Lillie Mae Faulk, a small-town girl (DISC). His parents emotionally neglected him often leaving him in the care of relatives (Bio). He eventually caught his parents interest during their divorce with both of them fighting for custody

James). Truman and Lee were opposites; He was frail and Lee was a rough and tumble tomboy (Bio). Despite their differences, they became instant friends (Southern). She helped Capote combat his loneliness and unhappiness, which resulted in him developing a flamboyant, outgoing, and witty personality (DISC; EWB). His adventures in Monroeville were the highlights of his childhood as opposed to his life with his

The bestseller and witnessing the hanging of Smith and Hickock had taken a toll on him both physically and psychologically (Bio). When it was over, Capote confessed, "I would never do it again . . . If had known what that book was going to cost in every conceivable way, emotionally, I never would have started it" (DISC). Capote began drinking more, using drugs, and later developed an addiction to taking tranquilizers used to calm his nerves. His substance abuse problems escalated over the coming years (Bio; St. James). Some people attribute Capote's escalating physical and emotional problems to the acute stress he suffered during the project (St. James). H his general health deteriorated alarmingly. The once “sylphlike and youthful Mr. Capote” became sickly and paunchy. In the late 1970's he went into rehabilitation, had prostate surgery and was affected with a painful facial nerve condition (Krebs). Truman Capote died on Aug. 25, 1984 at the age of 59, and he was revealed to have overdosed on pills. His autopsy fixed the cause of death as liver disease, ”complicated by phlebitis and multiple drug intoxication.” (EW). No one disputes Capote's contribution to literature as a writer who taught reporters how to rethink what they do when they ostensibly record "just the facts." (St.