illustration of two red kites hanging upon a Christmas tree

A Christmas Memory

by Truman Capote

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Student Question

Why is the buggy significant to the narrator in A Christmas Memory?

Quick answer:

The buggy is significant to the narrator on a literal level because it was purchased for him when he was born. It is more symbolically significant to him because it represents the passing of seasons and the constancy of friendship with his older cousin.

Expert Answers

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On a literal level, the buggy is significant to the narrator because it was purchased for him when he was born. The narrator, who is seven at the time this story takes place, lives with various "relatives"; one of these is his sixty-something-year-old cousin. These two are close friends, and Buddy describes her as having the mind of a child. Since Buddy doesn't live with parents or siblings, it can be assumed that this buggy from his infancy would be particularly meaningful. It represents tangible evidence that someone cared about him as a baby and planned for his needs.

On a more symbolic level, the buggy represents wonderful memories with his cousin. At Christmas, they grab the buggy and fill it with pecans to use in their fruitcakes. In the spring, they fill it with flowers and herbs, which they plant in pots. In the summer, they load it down with picnic supplies and fishing poles. In the winter, they use it for hauling firewood and as a bed for their little dog. The buggy therefore represents the passing of seasons and the constancy of friendship. The buggy is used to construct the memories of Buddy's childhood, hauling the simple yet profoundly meaningful objects which Buddy and his cousin use to create a beautiful life together.

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