'As everyone knows, a fag is a homosexual gentleman who has just left the room.'
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Capote offers a witty, somewhat dismissive definition of a gay man based on physical absence.
- In plain terms
- Capote defines a gay man as someone who just left the room.
- What can you take from it?
- Witty definitions can mask deeper social tensions.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What is a fair way to describe identity?
- When does humor cross a line?
Another view
It reduces identity to a joke.
More from Truman Capote
'The good thing about masturbation is that you don't have to dress up for it.'
Permalink to quote #5 'Good taste is the death of art.'
Permalink to quote #7 'In California, you lose a point off your IQ every year.'
Permalink to quote #4
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