As you read Truman Capote’s retrospective short story “A Christmas Memory,” you will find an adult Buddy looking back at his life as a seven year old child. As a child, Buddy is a compassionate soul who befriends his child-like sixty year old cousin. Together they make a life of adventures and traditions. Buddy is a sensitive child who cries when some of the other relatives get involved. For the most part he complies with...
As you read Truman Capote’s retrospective short story “A Christmas Memory,” you will find an adult Buddy looking back at his life as a seven year old child. As a child, Buddy is a compassionate soul who befriends his child-like sixty year old cousin. Together they make a life of adventures and traditions. Buddy is a sensitive child who cries when some of the other relatives get involved. For the most part he complies with his cousin’s wishes and assists her as they endeavor to keep the tradition of making their annual Christmas fruitcakes. He does not speak of playing with other children but does say that he likes to attend movies. This seems to be the one thing that indicates his need for contact with the outside world.
When his cousin is reprimanded for giving him some of the leftover whiskey, Buddy is the one to comfort her, showing how compassionate he was even at the young age of seven. When he is sent off to military boarding school he stays in touch with her through letters. Although he never sees her again, upon her death he feels like a piece of himself is missing. In keeping with their tradition of flying kites, he speaks of expecting to see two kites flying heavenward as he trudges across the school grounds. He is heartbroken by her passing, which indicates the deep bond he formed with her.
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