"Well, I'm about as tall as a shotgun, and just as noisy"

This quote by Truman Capote is a funny way of expressing his brief stature. He is comparing himself to a shotgun, which is a short weapon, and is indicating that he is simply as loud as one. This quote is most likely indicated to be a lighthearted joke, as Capote is satirizing himself. It might likewise be translated as a way of expressing his self-confidence and self-assurance, as he is not embarrassed of his height and is willing to joke about it. This quote is a suggestion that we must all be comfortable in our own skin and not be ashamed of our physical attributes.