The Rise and Fall of Truman Capote: A Reflection

Truman Capote: Glorified Author, Tremendous Downfall
Society uplifts famous individuals, causing faulty lifestyles to be lost within time. Truman Capote is an example of a famous author whose flaws have been lost underneath society’s approbation. Capote’s youth, with an abusive mother and absent father, led him to a successful life as an author; however, the lost favor of friends and fans sent him spiraling into alcoholism that tarnished his career.
On September 30, 1924, Truman Capote was born in New Orleans, Louisiana (“Truman Capote”). Capote was impressively smart during his childhood. At the young age of four, he had learned how to read (“Truman Capote”). Teachers were worried by little Capote after he often failed classes; simply, Capote

Capote’s strong dedication to writing led him to quit college. He believed he got nothing out of college, but that college robbed him of his time he could have used for writing (“Truman Capote”). In his early successes, he received the O. Henry Award for his short stories in 1945. Capote was given an advance by Random House, which published his first book Other Voices, Other Rooms in 1948. These early successes began the kick-off to his career (“Truman Capote”). Capote stated, “Work is the only device I know of. Writing has laws of perspective, of light and shade, just as painting does, or music. If you are born knowing them, fine. If not, learn them” (Hill). As a result of Capote’s work ethic, he was an author of

Capote’s downfall began once he revealed that chapter from his novel, Answered Prayers, uncovering secrets about his beloved friends. Capote and Babe Paley had been close friends. After his revealed chapter, Paley cut her ties with Capote. The loss of his good friend sent him into an alcoholic frenzy. Paley took the grudge to her death bed, never forgiving Capote. In Answered Prayers, Capote alludes to a well-known author becoming an alcoholic failure that was destroyed by cancer. He never specified the character as himself (Callahan). In addition, Capote ruined his career once he published his work; he lost everything.
Capote lived a life of stardom and luxury, but years of dishonesty caught up to him. After Capote’s prime, he became nothing. He was merely a pathetic, washed-out author. His final writing sent his swans away from him; the boy was abandoned once more (Brock). He came envious of other authors. After Answered Prayers, his life was filled with shame and rage (Long 109). The downfall of Capote’s life caused him further