"A Diamond Guitar"

"A Diamond Guitar"  

Truman Capote, 1950

"They had wrestled around until Mr. Schaeffer and another man got them separated. "Is my comb. You tell him!" Tico Feo had demanded of Mr. Schaeffer. But Mr. Schaeffer .with quiet firmness had said no, it was not. his friend's comb-an answer that seemed to defeat all concerned. "Aw," said Wink, "if he wants it so much, Christ's sake, let the sonofabitch keep it." And later, in a puzzled, uncertain voice, Tico Feo had said, "I thought you was my friend." "I am," Mr. Schaeffer had thought, though he said nothing." - pages 147-148

This passage highlights the classic quarrel between morality and the duty of a friend.  When your friend does something that conflicts with your own morale compass, you must decide to either support them or do what you believe to be the right thing.  Of course, friends can easily see such actions as betrayal, exactly the issue Mr. Schaeffer has come to face.

What's interesting about Mr. Schaeffer's character is his age and experience.  He is a respected man at the prison, 50 years old having spent 17 of those working on the prison farm.  Although friendless, he seems content in that position, never having any reason to even desire freedom.  We have no real glimpse into his past besides that he murdered, and that the act was justifiable by morality even if punishable by law.  In this way, we come to know Mr. Schaeffer as a simple and kind man, undeserving of his fate.

In contrast to Mr. Schaeffer's persona we are faced with Tico Feo.  Although at first described as beautiful, we see something vain and selfish in him.  The words "nimble" and "clever" are tactfully used in his description on page 142 as if to convey that there is deceit hidden beneath his gift of beauty.  In addition, his possessions seem superfluous, narcissistic.  His guitar is studded with diamonds, Tico himself stating his old one contained rubies.  The cologne and world map add to this image.  

We see confirmation of Tico's devious nature in his lying.   Mr. Schaeffer is aware of this, stating that "he did not look for the truth in Tico's tales of adventure"(page 146) but instead relished the thought of excitement and promise.  In this way, this cunning, attractive boy plays the devil, or snake.  Enticing Mr. Schaeffer with ideas of grandeur, he pulls him from his content solace, and makes him unstable.  Tico consistently put ideas of "the world, el mundo" in his head, and this illustrious goal inspired the nervous Mr. Schaeffer to try.  

Of course, there is no happy ending for Mr. Schaffer.  Tico Feo's diamond guitar, adventures, beauty...they were all for himself.  As the poor old man lies on the ground he realizes Tico's betrayal.  However, Mr Schaeffer still idolizes the boy.  When the paper prints the story of Mr. Schaeffer's attempt at stopping Tico, he still worries about what Tico would think.  Even after being left with a broken ankle in that stream, Mr. Schaeffer treasures Tico's guitar.  The sad old man, who believed he had finally found a friend was completely betrayed, but still loved his tormentor.