What are two literary rumors about Truman Capote And Harper Lee?

While the friendship between Truman Capote and Harper Lee was well documented and influential in both their careers, some rumors about their relationship persist. Two common ones are:

1. Capote's "Inspiration" for Scout Finch:

This rumor claims that Capote used Lee as the inspiration for the character of Scout Finch in *To Kill a Mockingbird*. While Capote certainly admired Lee's writing and was close to her, there's no concrete evidence to support this claim. Lee herself, in a rare interview, explicitly denied this, stating that Scout was based on her own childhood experiences.

2. Capote's "Betrayal" and the End of their Friendship:

This rumor alleges that Capote's public portrayal of the Clutter family murders in *In Cold Blood* led to a bitter rift with Lee. Some believe Capote's sensationalized account of the murders, which involved his close friends, angered Lee, who felt it exploited their shared experience. Though there's no direct evidence of this specific event causing a break, it's true their friendship deteriorated in the later years, likely due to a combination of factors, including Capote's increasing social isolation and drug use.

It's crucial to remember that these are rumors, and their validity is difficult to verify. However, they highlight the enduring fascination with the relationship between these two literary giants and the complex dynamics behind it.