How to Pronounce Truman Capote

Meaning and Context

Truman Capote, born Truman Streckfus Persons in 1924, was a preeminent American author and literary icon of the 20th century, renowned for his crystalline prose, penetrating psychological insight, and pioneering narrative forms. He achieved early fame with his debut novel, Other Voices, Other Rooms (1948), and later captivated a global audience with the luminous novella Breakfast at Tiffany's (1958), which was immortalized in the iconic Audrey Hepburn film. Capote's most monumental contribution to American literature was the genre-defying non-fiction novel In Cold Blood (1966), a meticulously researched and chilling account of the 1959 Clutter family murders in Holcomb, Kansas. This seminal work, which he termed a "true account novel," blurred the lines between journalism and fiction, effectively creating the modern true crime genre and cementing his legacy as a master of Southern Gothic storytelling and a central figure in post-war American writers. His flamboyant public persona and storied place within New York's high society, including his infamous Black and White Ball in 1966, made him a constant subject of fascination, intertwining his literary achievements with his status as a quintessential celebrity author.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The name "Truman Capote" is generally spelled consistently, though occasional errors arise from phonetic misspellings or confusion with similar-sounding words. The most common typo is "Truman Capote," with an extra 't', likely due to the influence of the word "cape." Another frequent misspelling is "Trueman Capote," adding an 'e' to his first name. His surname is occasionally misspelled as "Capoté" with an erroneous accent, or "Capotte," doubling the final consonant. It is also worth noting his birth name: he was born Truman Streckfus Persons, a middle name often misspelled as "Strechus" or "Strechfus." When referencing his works, "In Cold Blood" is sometimes incorrectly written as "In Cold Bloods" or "In the Cold Blood," while "Breakfast at Tiffany's" is often mistakenly written without the apostrophe-S as "Breakfast at Tiffanys."

Example Sentences

Scholars often cite In Cold Blood as Truman Capote's masterpiece, a groundbreaking work that transformed literary journalism.

The glittering, yet melancholic, world of Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany's remains one of Capote's most enduring cultural creations.

Capote's meticulous research for his true crime novel involved spending years in Kansas, interviewing both investigators and the murderers themselves.

His distinctive, high-pitched voice and witty repartee made him a fixture on television talk shows throughout the 1960s and 70s.

The unfinished novel Answered Prayers, excerpts of which were published in Esquire, famously alienated Capote from many of his high-society friends.

One cannot discuss the Southern Gothic tradition without acknowledging the haunting atmosphere of Capote's early short stories.

His legendary Black and White Ball at the Plaza Hotel was the definitive social event of its era.

Related Pronunciations

• How to pronounce Michael Ende
• How to pronounce François Mauriac
• How to pronounce Suite française
• How to pronounce Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
• How to pronounce Kenzaburō Ōe