Monday, May 9, 2016

What is the climax of Truman Capote's short story "A Christmas Memory?"

The climax of Truman Capote’s short story “A Christmas Memory” occurs after the cousin says, "Buddy, the wind is blowing."


The pair suffer through Christmas morning with the relatives, before exchanging kites they made as gifts for one other. Buddy and his cousin, along with their dog, Queenie, make their escape, from the stuffy home, to spend the day flying those kites. It is a day filled with sunshine, breezes, and good company, which makes the cousin feel content in its beauty. She contemplates what it will be like to see the Lord when she passes and feels, on such a perfect day, he has already revealed himself. “I'll wager at the very end a body realizes the Lord has already shown Himself.” In addition, she tells Buddy it would be fine if she died on such a day surrounded by Queenie and Buddy in the beauty of nature. “As for me, I could leave the world with today in my eyes."


The story climaxes, and Truman Capote’s next line leads into the falling action and resolution, “This is our last Christmas together.”

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