The theme of loneliness is central to "Miriam." The story revolves around Mrs. Miller, a lonely widow who lacks meaningful connections. Following her husband's death, she has been living a solitary existence, devoid of friends or attention from others in her building.

Her interests were narrow, she had no friends to speak of, and she rarely journeyed farther than the corner grocery. The other people in the house never seemed to notice her.

Despite living in a pleasant apartment and occasionally engaging in activities like watching movies and shopping, Mrs. Miller's existence has become monotonous, contributing to her depression and isolation.

Mrs. Miller's daily routine revolves mainly around mundane tasks. She meticulously prepares meals, maintains a spotless home, occasionally smokes cigarettes, and cares for her canary, Tommy.

However, her routine lacks social interactions, leaving her without emotional support. The absence of deep relationships weighs on her, affecting her mental well-being. Seeking human connection, Mrs. Miller begins to imagine the presence of the young girl named Miriam, possibly seeing herself as a younger child.

Capote implies that Miriam is a figment of Mrs. Miller's imagination, even suggesting that Miriam and Mrs. Miller are different aspects of the same person.

For instance, during their initial encounter, when Mrs. Miller discovers their shared name, Miriam behaves as though Mrs. Miller is already acquainted with her. Miriam then exhibits a liking for peppermints, mirroring Mrs. Miller's preference for them.

When Miriam visits Mrs. Miller's home for the first time, Mrs. Miller questions how Miriam knows her address. In response, Miriam confidently asserts that she knew it based on their shared name, despite Mrs. Miller's disbelief as she is not listed in the phonebook.

This suggests that Miriam may have followed Mrs. Miller's home, suggesting a physical presence, or it introduces the possibility that Mrs. Miller is imagining Miriam as a manifestation of herself. Thus Miriam knows the location of her own home because she is a part of Mrs. Miller's psyche.

Another instance is when Miriam expresses her desire for almond cakes and cherries. Mrs. Miller is later shown purchasing six almond cakes and a bag of cherries as if she shares the same fondness for these sweets as Miriam.

Capote insinuates that Mrs. Miller sees herself in Miriam's bold and attention-seeking behavior, perhaps reminiscent of her youth. Miriam represents Mrs. Miller's longing for companionship and her desire to approach others the way Miriam approaches her. The contrast between their characters symbolizes the duality within Mrs. Miller's personality.

The story demonstrates the profound psychological impact of loneliness and grief on one's mind, emphasizing the yearning for connection.

In addition to the central idea of loneliness, Capote skillfully weaves a secondary theme into the narrative of "Miriam"—the theme of aging and mortality. Through Mrs. Miller's solitary existence as an elderly widow, Capote vividly portrays her struggles with the relentless passage of time, the profound grief caused by the loss of loved ones, and the inevitable journey toward death.

In "Miriam," Capote intricately explores the blurred lines between what is real and what exists within the realm of the protagonist's mind.

The character of Miriam embodies this theme flawlessly. Initially, Capote presents Miriam as a real person who requests assistance from Mrs. Miller to purchase a movie ticket. However, as Mrs. Miller describes Miriam's appearance and unusual behavior, readers gradually understand the ambiguous nature of Miriam's existence.

Her hair was the longest and strangest Mrs. Miller had ever seen: absolutely silver-white, like an albino's. It flowed waist-length in smooth, loose lines. She was thin and fragilely constructed. There was a simple, special elegance in the...