This document provides context and analysis tools for the short story "A Christmas Memory" by Truman Capote. It summarizes the story as recalling the homemade traditions of two unlikely friends - a 7-year-old boy and his 60-something cousin. It highlights the importance of setting, discussing how Capote uses details of place, season, and mood to convey the relationship between the characters. Vocabulary and questions are provided to aid close reading of how descriptive details reveal themes of friendship and enduring love.

1. Introducing the Story Literary Focus: Setting Reading Skills: Details Feature Menu

2. A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote

3. “ I am seven; she is sixty-something. . . . We are each other’s best friend. . . .” from “A Christmas Memory” by Truman Capote From A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote. Copyright © 1956 by Truman Capote. Reproduced by permission of The Truman Capote Literary Trust, Alan U. Schwartz, Trustee.

4. This semi-autobiographical story recalls the homemade traditions of two unlikely friends, distant cousins who are decades apart in age. In hard times they cook up rich and lasting cheer. Hard Times What was the economy like in the 1930s? Click here to find out. [End of Section]

9. Quickwrite

10. Make the Connection [End of Section] “ A Christmas Memory” is a story about two unlikely friends. The story reveals something about the nature of friendship and the enduring power of love—even when, to the rest of the world, the friendship seems odd, and the love is not noticed at all. What do friends give each other? Think about your oldest friendship—why do some friendships last while others don’t? Jot down your ideas on friendship, and save your notes.

11. Vocabulary

12. Previewing the Vocabulary inaugurating v.: formally beginning. exhilarates v.: gladdens; excites. dilapidated adj.: shabby; falling apart. paraphernalia n.: equipment; gear. sacrilegious adj.: disrespectful toward religion.

13. Previewing the Vocabulary noncommittal adj.: not admitting or committing to any particular purpose or point of view. prosaic adj.: ordinary. disposition n.: usual frame of mind; temperament. suffuse v.: spread over or through. carnage n.: widespread killing; slaughter.

14. 1. My boss was ____________ about giving me a raise. 2. Older veterans spoke about the __________ of war. 3. Bottles and other baby ____________ were needed. 4. Auntie’s cheerful ____________ comforts us. 5. The task was boring and ____________. Vocabulary Activity Fill in the blanks with words from the Word Bank. paraphernalia disposition prosaic noncommittal carnage noncommittal carnage disposition paraphernalia [End of Section] prosaic

15. Meet the Writer

16. Truman Capote (1924–1984) was born in New Orleans but grew up with elderly relatives in Alabama. Deserted by his father, he was moved from place to place while his mother lived in New York. His most famous novel, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, was made into a movie. More About the Writer [End of Section]