[2] Carson McCullers' sister, Rita Smith, who worked as an editor's assistant at Madmoiselle recommended Capote's story "Miriam."

One day, going into a movie theater, she meets a young, intelligent girl named Miriam.

Miriam walks over to a nearby vase and smashes it on the floor, tramples the bouquet, then leaves.

The next morning, Mrs. Miller leaves her apartment to spend the day shopping at various stores around New York City.

Upon arriving home, Miriam returns, insistently ringing the doorbell while Mrs. Miller refuses to open the door.

It was published in independent hardback form in September 1981, under the title Miriam: A Classic Story of Loneliness.

"Miriam" is noted for having a "dreamlike, psychological quality" and a theme exploring double personality disorder.

[4] Reynolds Price observes that two of Capote's early short stories, "Miriam," along with "A Jug of Silver" reflect his familiarity with fellow contemporary southern writing, specifically that of Carson McCullers.

The Hebrew origin of the name "Miriam" may translate as "wished-for child," which could explain a great deal about what Mrs. Miller wants and sees in her young visitor.

[citation needed] Capote also comments on the themes of identity that lie within the story:"... For the only thing she had lost to Miriam was her identity, but now she knew she had found again the person who lived in this room, who cooked her own meals, who owned a canary, who was someone she could trust and believe in: Mrs. H. T. Miller” (Capote, 49)[6] Adaptations of "Miriam" are incorporated into Frank Perry's 1969 anthology film Trilogy (aka Truman Capote's Trilogy), which also includes adaptations of "A Christmas Memory" and "Among the Paths to Eden."