I want to still be me when I wake up one fine morning and have breakfast at Tiffany´s.
But mostly they were lies I told; it wasn't my fault, I couldn't remember, because it was as though I'd been to one of those supernatural castles visited by characters in legends: once away, you do not remember, all that is left is the ghostly echo of haunting wonder.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the nature of memory and the distortions of reality that can arise from our experiences.
In this quote, Truman Capote explores the subjective nature of memory and how personal experiences can create a chasm between reality and imagination. The reference to supernatural castles suggests that our memories may be enchanting yet elusive; they leave behind only a vague sense of wonder rather than clear recollections. This highlights the idea that our memories can be unreliable, often shaped by our emotions and interpretations rather than factual accuracy.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a presentation about the reliability of eyewitness accounts, this quote can illustrate how memories can differ from objective truth.
More from Truman Capote
All quotes →All writing, all art, is an act of faith. If one tries to contribute to human understanding, how can that be called decadent? It's like saying a declaration of love is an act of decadence. Any work of art, provide it springs from a sincere motivation to further understanding between people, is an act of faith and therefore is an act of love.
No one will ever know what 'In Cold Blood' took out of me. It scraped me right down to the marrow of my bones. It nearly killed me. I think, in a way, it did kill me.
Hot weather opens the skull of a city, exposing its white brain, and its heart of nerves, which sizzle like the wires inside a lightbulb. And there exudes a sour extra-human smell that makes the very stone seem flesh-alive, webbed and pulsing.
I don't want to own anything until I find a place where me and things go together.
The quietness of his tone italicized the malice of his reply.
Similar quotes
Are you looking for me? I am in the next seat. My shoulder is against yours. you will not find me in the stupas, not in Indian shrine rooms, nor in synagogues, nor in cathedrals: not in masses, nor kirtans, not in legs winding around your own neck, nor in eating nothing but vegetables. When you really look for me, you will see me instantly - you will find me in the tiniest house of time. Kabir says: Student, tell me, what is God? He is the breath inside the breath.
The point I was making was not that Grandmother harbors any racial animosity. She doesn't. But she is a typical white person.
Build your opponent a golden bridge to retreat across.
I accept the Old Testament as more of an action movie: blood, car chases, evacuations, a lot of special effects, seas dividing, mass murder, adultery. The children of God are running amok, wayward. Maybe that's why they're so relatable.
Novels can change attitudes. Maybe we should speak quietly otherwise politicians will use novels as propaganda.
Prison life, fortunately, I spent a lot of years, about 18 years with other prisoners, and, as I say, they enriched your soul.