Ethan Brooks
Breakfast at Tiffany's, written by Truman Capote, is a novella that has captivated fans for over half a century, both in its original written form and as a film starring Audrey Hepburn. The story follows Holly Golightly, a 19-year-old party girl who struggles to belong but resists being pinned down. Capote's writing is known for its rich imagery and ability to convey nuances that remain unspoken, and Breakfast at Tiffany's is considered one of his most beloved works, with Holly Golightly regarded as his most nuanced character.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Author | Truman Capote |
| Format | Novella |
| Year of Publication | 1958 |
| Publisher | Random House |
| Magazine Serialization | Esquire |
| Film Adaptation | Yes |
| Main Character | Holly Golightly |
| Main Character's Age | 19 |
| Narrator | Unnamed |
| Narrator's Relationship with Holly | Fledgling writer from the South; possible stand-in for Capote |
| Themes | Tension between wanting security and freedom, desire, objectification, grief |
| Writing Style | Rich in vivid and intoxicating sensory imagery, precise, perfectionistic, subdued |
| Critical Reception | Positive, with some mixed reviews |
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What You'll Learn
Holly Golightly's character
Holly Golightly is the main character of Truman Capote's 1958 novella *Breakfast at Tiffany's*, as well as its 1961 film adaptation and 1966 musical. She is a beautiful, mysterious, and self-sufficient 19-year-old who lives an extravagant socialite lifestyle. She sustains herself by dating rich men, though the specifics of this arrangement remain unspecified. Holly has a tendency to want to know everything about a person but becomes defensive when they want to know about her. While some find this irritating, the unnamed narrator of the story is intrigued and seeks to uncover her secrets.
Holly is first introduced in the novella through the label on her mailbox: "Rather Cartier-formal, it read: Miss Holiday Golightly; and, underneath, in the corner, Traveling. It nagged me like a tune: Miss Holiday Golightly, Traveling." The narrator, who lives in the same building as Holly, eventually befriends her when she seeks refuge in his apartment one night to escape a drunk man in her apartment. Holly's mysterious allure captivates the narrator, who finds himself drawn into her world and the company she keeps, which includes a mobster named Sally Tomato, whom she visits in prison once a week.
Holly's past is slowly revealed throughout the story, adding depth to her character. She was married at 14 to Doc Golightly, who is now in New York looking for his lost bride. She refuses to name her pet cat because she believes they do not belong to each other, reflecting her independent nature. Holly's desire to maintain her independence while relying on the company of affluent men to sustain her extravagant lifestyle creates a complex dynamic that is central to her character.
Holly's character has been described as "wholly objectified by her setting," representing that which is desired. Her identity remains somewhat elusive, with the narrator and readers trying to peel back the layers to understand her true self. Holly's aspirations and dreams, such as her desire to be rich and famous while maintaining her sense of self, add further complexity to her character.
The character of Holly Golightly has captivated audiences across generations, with many speculating about her inspiration. While some have claimed to be the real-life inspiration for Holly, the true origin of the character remains a mystery, adding to the allure of Capote's beloved creation.
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Truman Capote's writing style
Truman Capote was a prolific and celebrated writer, known for his unique style of writing. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1924 and began writing short stories at the age of fourteen, some of which were published. After leaving school at fifteen, he worked for the New Yorker and later spent two years on a Louisiana farm, where he wrote his debut novel, "Other Voices, Other Rooms", published in 1948.
Capote's writing style is often described as precise and perfectionistic. He was a keen observer with an exceptional memory for details and conversations, and he preferred to meticulously plan and map out his work before writing a single word. In his earlier works, Capote's writing style was characterised by florid swirls, but he later evolved towards a more measured and subdued prose style, as seen in "Breakfast at Tiffany's".
Capote was a master of clear and intoxicating prose, preferring plain language to dazzling descriptions. He knew how to step aside and let his characters speak, often using dialogue to drive the story. In his later works, he experimented with different literary techniques, such as presenting dialogue in a movie script format in "Handcarved Coffins".
Capote believed that writing style was a matter of self-discovery and that it was important to develop one's own unique style without copying others. He encouraged writers to absorb influences like a sponge and to broaden their horizons by reading widely. He also emphasised the importance of practice, stating that it takes 10,000 hours or more to master one's craft.
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The novella's ending
The ending of Truman Capote's Breakfast at Tiffany's has been described as enigmatic, with Holly Golightly's characterisation demanding such an ending. In the novella, Holly does not end up in a love affair with the narrator, as she does in the film adaptation. Instead, she leaves the United States, and the narrator is left unsure of her whereabouts. The only clue he has is a photograph of a wood carving found years later in Africa, which bears a striking resemblance to Holly.
The ending of the novella is intentionally vague, leaving the reader to wonder about Holly's fate. This is in keeping with the overall characterisation of Holly, who is described as "that which is desired", with the narrator's understanding of her being limited to the realm of her apartment building. The narrator's first encounter with Holly is through her mailbox label, which reads: "Miss Holiday Golightly; and, underneath, in the corner, Travelling". This sets the tone for the reader's understanding of Holly, as someone who is always on the move and perhaps, someone who is difficult to truly know.
The ending of Breakfast at Tiffany's is also notable for its sensory imagery, which is a distinguishing feature of the text. The reader is transported into Holly's world through vivid descriptions of her apartment, her reading habits, her unique brand of cigarettes, and the contents of her trash basket.
The novella ends with the narrator reflecting on Holly's unknown whereabouts, hoping that she has found a place where she belongs:
> "Flanked by potted plants and framed by clean lace curtains, he was seated in the window of a warm-looking room: I wondered what his name was, for I was certain he had one now, certain he'd arrived somewhere he belonged. African hut or whatever, I hope Holly has, too."
This ending is a poignant conclusion to the story of Holly Golightly, a character who has captivated readers and audiences alike for generations.
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The film adaptation
Truman Capote's novella "Breakfast at Tiffany's" was adapted into a film in 1961. The film was directed by Blake Edwards and starred Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly and George Peppard as Paul Varjak. Hepburn's portrayal of Golightly is widely celebrated, and the actor became a style icon for generations to come. However, Capote disagreed with the casting choice and spent his life critiquing the adaptation. He had wanted Marilyn Monroe to play the role, as he knew her well and believed she would be convincing as the fragile, vulnerable Holly.
Capote also took issue with the removal of the queer subtext in the film adaptation. In the novella, Holly is unfazed by the fact that the narrator is gay, and she even laments being a "bit of a dyke" herself. This aspect of the story was deliberately left out of the film, possibly due to the social climate around homosexuality at the time.
Despite Capote's criticisms, the film "Breakfast at Tiffany's" became a timeless classic and has usurped the book in popularity. The success of the film is largely attributed to Audrey Hepburn's performance, which redefined her career and image.
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The story's origin
Breakfast at Tiffany's, both the film and the novella on which it was based, has captivated fans for over half a century. The story's success is largely attributed to Audrey Hepburn, who played the iconic Holly Golightly. The novella, written by Truman Capote, was first published in 1958 and was loosely adapted into a film in 1961.
Capote was born Truman Streckfus Persons on 30 September 1924 in New Orleans, Louisiana. He rose to international prominence in 1948 with the publication of his debut novel, Other Voices, Other Rooms. He was a precise, perfectionistic, and accomplished writer, preferring to map out his work beforehand.
The story of Breakfast at Tiffany's is set in 1940s New York, specifically the Upper East Side, in a brownstone apartment. The protagonist, Holly Golightly, is a contemporary writer who recalls her early days in New York and her remarkable neighbour, Holly Golightly. Holly is a naïve, eccentric socialite who meets Paul Varjak, a struggling writer who moves into her apartment building. Holly makes her living by receiving $50 from her gentlemen escorts and $100 for weekly trips to Sing Sing Prison to visit an ex-mobster.
The title of the story comes from a scene where Holly strikes up a conversation with the narrator about how Tiffany's is the only place that calms her when she's feeling anxious or overwhelmed. The narrator and Holly develop a friendship, but they feud over a trivial matter. The narrator suspects Holly is being watched and warns her about it. He is then confronted by a man who claims to be Holly's husband, Doc Golightly. Holly insists she must stay in New York, but her emotional downward spiral continues when she finds out her brother has died in the war.
The film adaptation of Breakfast at Tiffany's deviates from the novella in several ways. In the film, Holly and the narrator fall in love and stay together, while in the novella, there is no love affair, and Holly leaves the United States. The novella also has a more subdued prose style, while the film is a romantic comedy.
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Frequently asked questions
Assuming you are referring to the film adaptation of his novella, it is unclear whether Truman Capote liked the film *Breakfast at Tiffany's*. However, he was unhappy with the ending of the film, which differs from his novella.
Holly Golightly is the protagonist of *Breakfast at Tiffany's*. She is a 19-year-old party girl with multiple male friends and a prominent nightlife. She is a complex character, struggling with a desire to belong while also wanting to remain unpinned.
Truman Capote is known for writing *Breakfast at Tiffany's*, as well as other works such as *In Cold Blood*, *A Tree of Night*, *The Grass Harp*, *Summer Crossing*, and *A Christmas Memory*. He is considered a precise, perfectionistic, and accomplished writer.
No, Truman Capote did not like the ending of the film adaptation of *Breakfast at Tiffany's*. He found it disappointing and ridiculous.
It is unclear if Holly Golightly was based on a real person. Truman Capote never confirmed this, but there are rumours that she was inspired by someone from his past.
