History Main / Miriam

* "Literature/{{Miriam}}", the short story that launched TrumanCapote's career.

* ''Manga/{{Miriam}}'', a {{Manga}}.

[[redirect:Literature/{{Miriam}}]]

-->"Please, child, give it back. It's a gift from my husband."
-->"But it's beautiful. I want it. '''Give it to me.'''"

An early example of the {{Creepy Child}} trope, this short story by Truman Capote was first published in 1945. It follows the mental decline of a divorced woman named Miss Miller as the titular character, a {{Creepy Child}} and {{Oracular Urchin}} of some magnitude, slowly destroys her life by stealing her possessions, forcing her to buy her things, and eventually forcing her to let her move in together. The story has a very ambiguous ending, with the reader left unsure about what Miriam really is, and this had made it a favorite on the school discussion circuit.

!!This book provides examples of:
* AuthorAvatar: Capote said multiple times in interviews that Miriam is supposed to be him paying his parents (who abandoned him) back.
* CreepyChild: Miriam, though it is implied that she might not be quite human...
** CreepyDoll: Miriam has one of these by the story's end.
* EveryoneIsJesusInPurgatory: A major reason for the story's popularity, as because of its mysterious ending, almost everyone has an idea of what Miriam is or represents.
* ItWasHereISwear: After Miriam shows up to move into her apartment, Mrs. Miller has a minor breakdown and runs to her neighbors to beg them to get the girl to leave. Miriam, her box full of clothing, and her CreepyDoll are nowhere to be found when someone goes to look.
* LittleProfessorDialogue: Specifically pointed out and played for [[UncannyValley creep-factor]].
* MindScrew: No one is quite sure what Miriam is and how she is related to Miss Miller, or what her job on earth is.
* MrsRobinson: Mrs. Miller is described as being strongly attracted to the titular character, despite the face that she is a little girl who scares her to death.
** {{Lolicon}}
* NamesTheSame / {{Averted}} OneSteveLimit: Mrs. Miller's first name is also Miriam.
* PsychologicalHorror
* SnowMeansDeath: Snow in general is a major symbol in the story, especially in association with Miriam.
* ThroughTheEyesOfMadness: Is Miriam real, or a figment of Mrs. Miller's imagination?
* WhiteHairedPrettyGirl: Miriam.
* TheStinger:
->Mrs. Miller stiffened and opened her eyes to a dull, direct stare. "Hello," said Miriam.
------

* TheStinger:

* {{Author Avatar}} : Capote said multiple times in interviews that Miriam is supposed to be him paying his parents (who abandoned him) back.
* {{Creepy Child}} : Miriam, though it is implied that she might not be quite human...
** {{Creepy Doll}} Miriam has one of these by the story's end.
* {{Everyone Is Jesus In Purgatory}} : The main reason for the book's popularity, as because of its mysterious ending, almost everyone has an idea of what Miriam is or represents.
* {{Lolicon}} : See above.
* {{Mind Screw}} : No one is quite sure what Miriam is and how she is related to Miss Miller, or what her job on earth is.
* {{Mrs Robinson}} : Miss Miller is described as being strongly attracted to the titular character, despite the face that she is a little girl.
* {{White Haired Pretty Girl}} : Miriam.

* {{Mrs Robinson}} : Miss Miller is described as being strongly attracted to the titular character, despite the face that she is a little girl.
* {{Lolicon}} : See above.

*{{Mind Screw}} : No one is quite sure what Miriam is and how she is related to Miss Miller, or what her job on earth is.
*{{Author Avatar}} : Capote said multiple times in interviews that Miriam is supposed to be him paying his parents (who abandoned him) back.
*{{White Haired Pretty Girl}} : Miriam.
*{{Everyone Is Jesus In Purgatory}} : The main reason for the book's popularity, as because of its mysterious ending, almost everyone has an idea of what Miriam is or represents.