Breakfast at Tiffany's

Breakfast at Tiffany's
Overview
Themes
Main Characters
Set in World War II-era New York City, Breakfast at Tiffany is a front-row seat to the life, loves, and losses of Holly Golightly, a rural girl who has become a society star. As told by her nameless neighbor, Holly's story is a study in the dueling desires for freedom and security.
Freedom vs. Security
Holly's quest for freedom is at odds with her desire for emotional security.
Identity
Holly reinvents herself in an attempt to leave her past behind.
Love
Familial and platonic love is stronger than romantic attachments.
Holly Golightly
19-year-old country bumpkin-turned-New York Café Society girl; seeking a place to belong
Doc
Horse doctor from Tulip, Texas; Holly's former husband and father figure
Narrator
Unnamed, implied gay man; aspiring writer captivated by charming Holly
Jose Ybarra-Jaegar
Image-obsessed Brazilian diplomat; leaves Holly when he senses scandal coming
Motifs
Author
Cages
Aversion to cages symbolizes Holly's quest for personal freedom.
Cat
The cat embodies Holly's continual sabotage of her own desires.
Masks
Holly uses cosmetics and clothing to hide her true identity.
TRUMAN CAPOTE 1924-84
Like his beloved heroine, Southern-born Capote hungered for the celebrity of the New York social scene. His jet-set lifestyle and famous friends often served as inspiration for his work, but the character of Holly Golightly is said to most resemble Capote's mother and himself.
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