Harper West
Breakfast at Tiffany's is a 1961 American romantic comedy film directed by Blake Edwards and based on the 1958 novella of the same name by Truman Capote. The film stars Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly, a naive, eccentric socialite who meets Paul Varjak, a struggling writer who moves into her apartment building. While the film is primarily a romantic comedy, it also explores themes of female independence, freedom, wealth, happiness, belonging, companionship, love, and sexuality. The relationship between Holly and Paul is interesting because it is platonic yet bears romantic qualities. In the film, Holly and Paul's relationship is a big deal because they choose each other despite there being no financial gain involved. Additionally, Holly's visits to Tiffany's are significant as they are the only thing that calms her during panic or anxiety attacks, which are triggered by her traumatic childhood experiences.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Theme | Companionship, Love, and Sexuality |
| Type of Love | Platonic love between Holly and the narrator |
| Holly and Paul's romantic love | |
| Holly's love for Tiffany's | |
| Holly's love for her brother, Fred | |
| Holly's love for New York | |
| Holly's desire for companionship | |
| Plot | Holly Golightly, a naive, eccentric socialite, meets Paul Varjak, a struggling writer who moves into her apartment building |
| Holly and Paul spend the day together and take turns doing things each has never done before | |
| Holly goes to Tiffany's to calm herself during anxiety attacks | |
| Holly and Paul fall in love and stay together |
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What You'll Learn
Holly Golightly's desire for companionship and love
Holly Golightly is a complex character in Truman Capote's Breakfast at Tiffany's, a story that explores the human desire for companionship and love. While Holly is an independent young woman who forges her own path in the world, she also has a deep-seated desire for human connection. This is evident in the way she actively seeks out relationships and forms strong bonds with those around her, including the unnamed narrator, whom she endearingly calls by her beloved brother's name, Fred.
Holly's desire for companionship is seen in the way she approaches relationships. She is a self-sufficient woman who sustains herself by dating rich men, but she also recognises the value of platonic love and seeks a companion willing to care for her without ulterior motives. This is reflected in her relationship with the narrator, which is based on mutual care and support rather than romantic attraction. Holly finds solace in the narrator's company, and their bond becomes a source of comfort and stability for her.
Holly's past also sheds light on her desire for love and companionship. She had a difficult childhood, running away from cruel foster parents with her brother, Fred. They were taken in by Doc Golightly, whom Holly eventually married at the age of 14. However, she ran away a few years later, leaving behind Fred, the person she cared about the most. When Fred passes away during World War II, Holly is distraught, indicating the depth of their sibling bond.
In addition to her relationships with the narrator and Fred, Holly also forms connections with various men, including José Ybarra-Jaegar, a lover who cannot calm her down after Fred's death, and Paul Varjak, a struggling writer who moves into her apartment building. Despite her relationships with these men, Holly maintains her independence and refuses to let others interfere with her individuality. She navigates her relationships on her own terms, showcasing her desire for companionship while retaining her sense of self.
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Holly's platonic relationship with the narrator
Holly Golightly, a naïve, eccentric socialite and the protagonist of Breakfast at Tiffany's, has a platonic relationship with the unnamed narrator of the story. In the 1961 film adaptation, Holly is played by Audrey Hepburn, while in the original 1958 novella by Truman Capote, she is the remarkable neighbour of the narrator, a contemporary writer.
The narrator and Holly's friendship develops, but they also feud over trivial matters. Despite this, the narrator decides to warn Holly when he suspects she is being watched. He learns from the man who has been watching her that she was born Lulamae Barnes and that he is her husband, Doc Golightly. Holly insists on staying in New York, while Doc tries to persuade her to return to Texas with him. Holly and the narrator's friendship is tested when Holly learns that her brother has died in the war, which sends her into an emotional downward spiral.
The narrator invests himself in Holly's life in a similar way that a lover might, and Holly delights in having found a companion who cares for her without any ulterior motives. She devotes herself to the narrator by insisting upon helping him grow as a writer. Their relationship is predicated on the simple desire to be cared for and supported by another person, and Capote uses this dynamic to show that platonic love can be just as deep and emotionally resonant as romantic love.
In the film, Holly falls in love with the narrator and they stay together, which is a significant deviation from the novella, where there is no love affair. In the novella, Holly leaves the United States, and the narrator never sees her again.
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![Breakfast at Tiffany's (50th Anniversary Edition) [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81cBwfZ+o+L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Holly's relationship with Paul Varjak
Holly Golightly is an eccentric socialite who moves in the same New York City circles as the narrator, a writer named Paul Varjak. In the film, Holly is played by Audrey Hepburn, while George Peppard plays Paul.
Holly and Paul's relationship begins when Paul moves into Holly's apartment building. They form an unlikely friendship, as Holly is a party girl who does not like to get attached to men but wants to marry them for their money and status. Paul, on the other hand, is a struggling writer who is kept by an older woman, Emily Eustace Failenson, whom he nicknames "2E". Despite their differences, they develop a strong bond.
One of the key moments in their relationship occurs when Paul confronts Holly about her plans to marry a man named Trawler for his money. Shortly after their conversation, Paul learns that Trawler has married someone else. Holly and Paul then spend the day together, taking turns doing things each has never done before. During this outing, Paul has a ring engraved for Holly as a present. However, when they spend the night together, Holly is gone when Paul wakes up.
Paul eventually declares his love for Holly, but she resists entering into a relationship with him. Despite this, Paul continues to care for Holly and support her, even after she is arrested and her Brazilian lover, Jose, ends their relationship. When Paul picks her up after she is released on bail, he once again expresses his love for her. However, Holly, struggling with her identity and a desire for independence, resists his advances and releases her cat into an alley.
In the novella, Holly and Paul's relationship is platonic, and there is no romantic affair. Holly leaves the United States, and the narrator is left wondering what happened to her. In the film, however, their relationship takes on a more romantic tone, and they ultimately fall in love and stay together.
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Holly's past trauma and its impact on her life
Holly Golightly, the eccentric socialite protagonist of Breakfast at Tiffany's, has experienced past trauma that has significantly impacted her life and behaviour. While the specific details of her traumatic past are not explicitly stated, it's clear that her experiences have shaped her present in profound ways.
One of the key ways Holly's past trauma manifests is through her fear of intimacy and commitment. She is shown to be fiercely independent, making her own way in the world and resisting any interference with her individuality. This could be a result of her trauma, as people often develop a sense of hypervigilance and distrust towards others, pushing them away as a self-protective mechanism. Holly's resistance to being in a relationship with Paul, despite his declaration of love, could be indicative of this struggle.
Additionally, Holly's past trauma may contribute to her impulsive and unpredictable behaviour. Traumatic experiences can disrupt one's sense of safety and security, leading to cognitive issues, intrusive thoughts, and flashbacks. Holly's actions, such as suddenly trashing her apartment after learning of Fred's death, could be a result of these symptoms. The trauma may have also influenced her perception of the world, causing her to act in ways that seem scatterbrained or eccentric to others.
The impact of Holly's past trauma is further evident in her desire for companionship and connection without romantic entanglement. Her relationship with the narrator, which is platonic yet deeply caring, showcases her need for a supportive companion. This could be a result of her trauma, as individuals often seek increased bonding and connection in response to traumatic experiences. Holly's devotion to the narrator and her willingness to help him grow as a writer indicate her desire for a stable and nurturing relationship.
While Holly's past trauma has influenced her behaviour and outlook, it's important to note that trauma can manifest differently for everyone. The impact of trauma depends on various factors, including one's environment, coping mechanisms, and the availability of support. Some individuals may struggle with mental and physical health issues, while others may find healthy ways to cope and heal, such as through therapy or increased commitment to personal missions.
Overall, Holly Golightly's past trauma has shaped her life in significant ways. It has influenced her relationships, behaviour, and emotional well-being. While she navigates her experiences with resilience and independence, the impact of her trauma is evident in her search for connection and her struggles with intimacy.
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The role of wealth and status in Holly's relationships
In Breakfast at Tiffany's, Holly Golightly is a naïve, eccentric socialite who attaches herself to wealthy men to support herself. Holly's relationships with wealthy men play a significant role in shaping her character and the plot of the story.
Holly's past relationships with wealthy men are not about love but a means of survival and achieving a certain social status. She achieves "café society" status through these relationships, mirroring the life of Truman Capote's mother, Nina Capote, who also left her husband and relatives and achieved a similar status through relationships with wealthier men. Holly's past trauma and abandonment issues also contribute to her seeking financial security through these relationships.
When Holly meets Paul Varjak, a struggling writer who moves into her apartment building, their relationship is different. They choose each other despite the lack of financial gain, indicating a genuine connection. Paul ends his relationship with a wealthy "decorator" friend, further emphasising that his relationship with Holly is not motivated by wealth or status.
In the 1961 film adaptation, Holly's relationship with Paul takes a romantic turn, and they fall in love and stay together. This is a significant deviation from the novella, where there is no love affair, and Holly leaves the United States without any knowledge of her future. The film's portrayal of their relationship highlights the role of wealth and status in Holly's life, as she chooses a partner who values her for who she is rather than what she can provide.
Holly's relationships with wealthy men, both past and present, shape her character's arc and the overall narrative. They highlight her independence, resilience, and desire for genuine connection. Through her relationship with Paul, Holly finds love and a sense of belonging that transcends social status and financial gain.
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Frequently asked questions
Breakfast at Tiffany's is a 1961 American romantic comedy film directed by Blake Edwards. It is based on the 1958 novella of the same name by Truman Capote. The film stars Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly, a naïve, eccentric socialite.
The film explores the human desire for companionship and love. Holly Golightly is an independent young woman who values her independence but also appreciates the importance of human connection. She forms a strong platonic bond with the narrator, who invests himself in her life in a similar way to a lover. The film ends with Holly and the protagonist falling in love and staying together.
In the novella, there is no love affair. Holly leaves the United States, and the narrator has no idea what happened to her. The film adaptation adds a romantic element to the story, with Holly and the protagonist ending up together.
Some viewers interpret Breakfast at Tiffany's as a story about coping with childhood trauma, disguised as a love story. Holly's visits to Tiffany's are portrayed as a way to calm her anxiety and panic attacks, rather than a romantic gesture. The film also explores the idea of platonic love and the desire for companionship and support.
