Jackson Reed
Holly Golightly is the central character in Truman Capote's 1958 novella Breakfast at Tiffany's, which was adapted into a film starring Audrey Hepburn in 1961. The title refers to the fact that Tiffany & Co. is the only place that calms Holly down during a panic or anxiety attack. While she doesn't eat breakfast at Tiffany's, she does visit the store to browse for jewellery when she's feeling anxious. The novella's prose style prompted Norman Mailer to call Capote the most perfect writer of my generation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Holly Golightly's breakfast in Tiffany's | Holly Golightly does not actually eat breakfast in Tiffany's |
| Film adaptation release date | 5 October 1961 |
| Film director | Blake Edwards |
| Film star | Audrey Hepburn |
| Film's signature song | Moon River |
| Author of the novella | Truman Capote |
| Year of publication of the novella | 1958 |
| Setting of the novella | 1940s New York, specifically the Upper East Side |
| Inspiration for Holly Golightly's character | Many women, from Gloria Vanderbilt to Marilyn Monroe |
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What You'll Learn
Holly Golightly's character inspiration
The character of Holly Golightly in Truman Capote's Breakfast at Tiffany's was inspired by several women, all friends or close acquaintances of the author. Capote himself referred to the search for the "real" Holly Golightly as the "Holly Golightly Sweepstakes".
One of the women who may have inspired Holly Golightly was Marguerite Littman, a London-based hostess. Littman was born Marguerite Lamkin in Louisiana and later moved to Hollywood in the 1950s. She worked as a dialect coach to stars such as Elizabeth Taylor. Littman's obituary in The New York Times stated that she was the main inspiration for Holly Golightly.
Other women who have been suggested as inspirations for Holly Golightly include socialite Gloria Vanderbilt, actress Oona O'Neill, writer and actress Carol Grace, writer Maeve Brennan, writer Doris Lilly, model Dorian Leigh (whom Capote dubbed "Happy Go Lucky"), and her sister, model Suzy Parker.
Capote's aunt, Marie Rudisill, noted that Holly shares characteristics with Miss Lily Jane Bobbit, the central character of his short story "Children on Their Birthdays". Both characters are "unattached, unconventional wanderers, dreamers in pursuit of some ideal of happiness".
Ingrid Norton of Open Letters Monthly also pointed out Capote's debt to his mentor, Christopher Isherwood, in creating the character of Holly Golightly, stating that "Breakfast at Tiffany's is in many ways Capote's personal crystallization of Isherwood's Sally Bowles".
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Holly's coping mechanisms
Holly Golightly, the main character in Truman Capote's 1958 novella-turned-film Breakfast at Tiffany's, employs various coping mechanisms to deal with her childhood trauma. The story revolves around Holly's efforts to cope with her traumatic past, disguised as a love story. Here are some of Holly's coping mechanisms:
- Numbing herself with luxury and parties: Holly finds solace in the luxurious world of Tiffany's, using it as a means to calm herself when feeling anxious or overwhelmed. She also frequently attends parties, possibly as a way to distract herself from her traumatic memories.
- Refusing to name her cat: Holly's insecurity about not having a sense of home is reflected in her refusal to name her cat. She states that she will only give the cat a name when she finds a place where she feels secure.
- Making excuses for her behaviour: Holly justifies her actions, such as her relationships with multiple lovers, by citing her difficult childhood. She also expresses sympathy for Rusty Trawler, attributing his behaviour to his own traumatic past.
- Seeking comfort in familiar faces: Holly climbs through the narrator's window to escape a man she brought home, finding comfort in the narrator's resemblance to her brother, Fred. She asks the narrator if she can call him "Fred," indicating her need for familiarity and emotional support.
- Using humour and lightheartedness: Holly's character is known for her wit and playful demeanour. She often uses humour to navigate challenging situations and maintain a positive outlook despite her traumatic past.
- Escaping to a new city: After experiencing trauma in her rural Texas home, Holly moves to New York City. This physical escape may represent her attempt to leave her painful memories behind and start fresh in a new environment.
These coping mechanisms showcase Holly's resilience and her active attempts to manage her internal stressors. They contribute to the complex characterisation of Holly Golightly, making her a beloved and relatable figure for many readers and viewers.
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Holly's grief
Holly Golightly's character in Truman Capote's Breakfast at Tiffany's is a young woman grappling with the lingering trauma of a troubled past. The novella and its subsequent film adaptation explore Holly's journey of navigating adulthood while carrying the weight of childhood grief and adversity.
The trauma of her early life casts a long shadow over Holly's adulthood. She marries Doc, becoming a child bride at 14, but soon runs away from that life as well. Holly's past follows her even as she seeks a fresh start in New York City. Her brother Fred's death in the war triggers an emotional downward spiral, highlighting the raw and enduring nature of her grief.
The character of Holly Golightly embodies the complexities of grief and the myriad ways it can shape a person's life journey. Her story, set against the glamorous backdrop of New York City, reveals the enduring impact of childhood adversity and the ongoing process of healing and self-discovery.
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Holly's suitors
Holly Golightly, the main character in Truman Capote's Breakfast at Tiffany's, is depicted as a young, beautiful, mysterious woman with a penchant for secrecy and a string of suitors. Holly's allure captivates the unnamed narrator, who closely observes her and eventually forms a friendship with her.
The narrator, referred to as Fred by Holly due to his resemblance to her brother, develops complicated feelings for her. While he admits to jealousy, he clarifies that his love for Holly is not romantic. The novella and its adaptations explore Holly's grief, childhood trauma, and her relationships with the men in her life, all while she navigates her new life in New York City.
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Holly's secrets
Holly Golightly, the central character in Truman Capote's 1958 novella *Breakfast at Tiffany's*, is a mysterious young woman with a traumatic past. The story is narrated by an unnamed writer who moves into an apartment in New York City during World War II and befriends his upstairs neighbour, Holly.
Holly has many secrets, which the narrator is intrigued by and attempts to uncover. One of her secrets is that she visits Tiffany & Co. when she feels anxious or overwhelmed, as it is the only place that calms her. This is alluded to in the title of the novella and its film adaptation, where Holly visits the store while fending off a date from the night before.
Another of Holly's secrets is her past trauma. Both of her parents died from tuberculosis when she was around 10 years old, and she and her brother Fred were separated and sent to different foster homes. Holly ran away from her foster home, where she was severely malnourished, and was eventually found by a man named Doc, whom she married at 14. She soon ran away again, and her experiences have left her with a deep sense of grief and despair that she keeps hidden.
Holly also has a tendency to push people away and has a defensive attitude when others try to get too close. She is described as ""unattached, unconventional [and] a dreamer in pursuit of some ideal of happiness". She is also portrayed as having many suitors and being mercenary in her pursuit of a good time.
Despite her mysterious nature, Holly forms a friendship with the narrator, who becomes a confidant for her secrets. The novella and film explore Holly's character and her journey of coping with her past trauma in the glamorous and affluent world of 1940s New York.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Holly Golightly does not have breakfast in either the novella or the film adaptation of Breakfast at Tiffany's.
In the novella, Holly Golightly says:
> I don’t mean I’d mind being rich and famous. That’s very much on my schedule, and someday I’ll try to get around to it; but if it happens, I’d like to have my ego tagging along. I want to still be me when I wake up one fine morning and have breakfast at Tiffany’s.
In the film, Holly Golightly visits the Tiffany & Co. flagship store to browse for jewellery, which always puts her in a better mood.
Holly Golightly says that Tiffany's is the only place that calms her when she's feeling anxious or overwhelmed.
Audrey Hepburn played Holly Golightly in the 1961 film adaptation of Breakfast at Tiffany's.
