Breakfast at Tiffany’s is the most beloved work of fiction by Truman Capote and arguably one of the finest American novellas. During the final years of World War II, it is set on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and tells the story of a young writer’s fascination and affection for his eccentric and troubled neighbor, Holly Golightly.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s provided Capote with the ideal vehicle for refining his characteristically spare, naturalistic prose, establishing the novella as a transitional phase between his more complex earlier works and the documentary-style realism of his next major work, the non-fiction masterwork In Cold Blood.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s was written by Capote in the spring of 1958, shortly after the publication of Other Voices, Other Rooms, his first full-length novel and a critical and commercial success. Capote drew inspiration for his new work from rumors, personal experience, and the eccentric lives of his New York acquaintances.
The title Breakfast at Tiffany’s is derived from a popular anecdote among Capote’s social circle about an ignorant out-of-towner who, when asked which opulent New York restaurant he would like to dine at, replied, “Let’s have breakfast at Tiffany’s.” The author’s inspiration for Holly Golightly, whose name in early drafts of the manuscript was “Connie Gustafson,” most likely originated from multiple sources.
Capote acknowledged in his personal correspondence that he modeled his charismatic and ruthless heroine after a number of Manhattan socialites with whom he enjoyed close friendships, including Babe Paley, Gloria Vanderbilt, Carol Marcus, and Oona O’Neill.
Holly’s story arc, in which she escapes an impoverished childhood in the rural South and reinvents herself as a New York sophisticate, is similar to that of Capote’s mother. Holly’s real name, Lulamae, appears to be a direct reference to Nina Capote’s abandoned birth name, Lillie Mae. Capote explored his own struggles with social convention, depression, and the need for permanence and stability through Holly, as his biographers and critics have suggested.
Already well-known on the American literary and social scenes, Capote discovered that the market was receptive to his new work. Shortly after completing the manuscript for Breakfast at Tiffany’s, he sold it to Harper’s Bazaar for $2,000, with the intention of serializing it.
- However, executives at Hearst publications objected to the novella’s obscene language and explicit sexual references and, after requesting numerous revisions, decided against publication.
- While Hearst claimed that Breakfast at Tiffany’s was unsuitable for Harper’s Bazaar due to its colorful content, many of Capote’s publishing industry peers speculated that Hearst feared the novella would offend or alienate Tiffany’s, a major sponsor of the magazine.
Capote resold the manuscript to the competing publication Esquire for $3000 after Harper’s Bazaar rejected it. The 1958 serialization of the novella in Esquire appeared on newsstands simultaneously with newspaper reviews of Random House’s publication of the complete novella.
The amount of publicity surrounding Capote was staggering. Esquire’s sales skyrocketed, and the novella quickly caught the attention of 20th Century Fox’s film producers. The novella was adapted for the big screen by screenwriter George Axelrod, who altered plot and character details for a mainstream audience.
The screenplay notably transformed Capote’s complex narrative about sexual ambiguity into a conventional heterosexual love story. Breakfast at Tiffany’s, which was released in 1961, was a vehicle for Audrey Hepburn, who, at age 31, was concerned about her waning career.
- Breakfast at Tiffany’s was a smash hit with both the public and film critics, reviving Hepburn’s star power and establishing Holly Golightly as an instant fashion icon, thanks to the innovative costumes by legendary designers Edith Head and Givenchy.
- According to Capote’s biographer, the film inspired a legion of New York women to claim that they were Holly Golightly’s true inspiration.
One woman, Bonnie Golightly, even filed a libel lawsuit against Capote that was unsuccessful. However, despite Hepburn’s immense popularity as Holly, Capote maintained that Marilyn Monroe should have been cast in the part. Both the novella and the film adaptation of Breakfast at Tiffany’s have remained popular with American audiences since the 1960s.
Although the work received mixed reviews from Capote’s contemporaries, academic interest in the text in the late 20th century has contributed to its current public reputation as a work notable for its technical innovation and progressive social politics. Contemporary critics have been impressed by Capote’s complex and nuanced treatment of human sexuality and gender roles, which is influenced by the emerging field of gay or “queer” literary studies.
Modern critics have unearthed the novella’s subtle references to the alternative sexual identities and practices of the text’s male characters, suggesting that Capote intended Breakfast at Tiffany’s to be a study of the often-powerful and loving relationships between straight women and gay men.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s refers to what?
“Breakfast at Tiffany’s” is sung from the perspective of a man whose girlfriend is on the verge of breaking up with him because they have nothing in common. The desperate man mentions the Audrey Hepburn film Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and his girlfriend recalls that they “kind of liked it.” He argues that this should be sufficient motivation for them to resolve their issues, given that love will always find a way to make things work.
Is there a connection between Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Tiffany & Co?
Tiffany & Co. is arguably the most well-known luxury jewelry retailer in the United States. It became iconic after the 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany’s, based on the 1958 novella of the same name by Truman Capote. – “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” features Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly and George Pleppard as Paul Varjack at Tiffany & Co.
Image courtesy of Paramount Pictures/Getty Images We made our reservation three weeks in advance, primarily because Sarah checked the reservation app Resy every day to be the first to reserve a table. I did everything I could the morning of to make this a reality. I wore a black dress with heels and added some Tiffany charms to my jewelry.
I even flagged down a taxi and said, “Tiffany’s on Fifth, please,” as if I were in a remake of the film.
Holly receives $50 “for the powder room” as payment for her companionship that evening from a male acquaintance.4.
Can one consume breakfast at Tiffany’s?
Finally, You Can Have Breakfast at Tiffany’s (Yes, That Tiffany’s)! Over fifty years after the film’s release, it is now possible to eat breakfast at Tiffany’s. New York’s Fifth Avenue flagship store has launched a luxury home and accessories collection on the fourth floor and in conjunction with the opening.
- Just in time for the New Year, this spot is on the minds of every New York City shopper and is quickly making its way onto the brunch bucket list of every Holly Golightly fan.
- Robin’s Egg Blue Reigns Supreme This chic café is completely decorated in Tiffany & Co.’s signature Robin’s Egg Blue, for which the company has long been recognized.
Before entering the café, located on the fourth floor of the Tiffany & Co. headquarters, you’ll peruse the new home and accessories collection, where you’re likely to find an item as extravagant as Reed Krakoff’s $10,000 sterling silver nest with porcelain robin’s eggs.
- An Exceptional Holly Golightly New York Experiencing Guests of the Blue Box Café can sit down for a full-service breakfast, lunch, or afternoon tea, unlike Holly Golightly, who typically enjoyed her morning coffee and croissant while admiring the jewels in the Tiffany & Co. windows.
- On the menu are New York City staples such as smoked salmon and bagels, a salad with lobster, grapefruit, and avocado, and a club sandwich named after the company’s founder.
You can snack on finger sandwiches and sweet treats while sipping Bellocq tea blends from the formal Tiffany Tea menu. This New York City gem is the only high tea location worthy of being on your #bucketlistbrunch. Even would agree. A Four-Level Treasure Hoard Holly Golightly famously remarked, “The only thing that will help is to hail a cab and head to Tiffany’s. Finally, You Can Have Breakfast at Tiffany’s (Yes, That Tiffany’s)! Over fifty years after the film’s release, it is now possible to eat breakfast at Tiffany’s. New York’s Fifth Avenue flagship store has launched a luxury home and accessories collection on the fourth floor and in conjunction with the opening.
- Just in time for the New Year, this spot is on the minds of every New York City shopper and is quickly making its way onto the brunch bucket list of every Holly Golightly fan.
- Robin’s Egg Blue Reigns Supreme This chic café is completely decorated in Tiffany & Co.’s signature Robin’s Egg Blue, for which the company has long been recognized.
Before entering the café, located on the fourth floor of the Tiffany & Co. headquarters, you’ll peruse the new home and accessories collection, where you’re likely to find an item as extravagant as Reed Krakoff’s $10,000 sterling silver nest with porcelain robin’s eggs.
- An Exceptional Holly Golightly New York Experiencing Guests of the Blue Box Café can sit down for a full-service breakfast, lunch, or afternoon tea, unlike Holly Golightly, who typically enjoyed her morning coffee and croissant while admiring the jewels in the Tiffany & Co. windows.
- On the menu are New York City staples such as smoked salmon and bagels, a salad with lobster, grapefruit, and avocado, and a club sandwich named after the company’s founder.
You can snack on finger sandwiches and sweet treats while sipping Bellocq tea blends from the formal Tiffany Tea menu. This New York City gem is the only high tea location worthy of being on your #bucketlistbrunch. Even would agree. A Four-Level Treasure Hoard Holly Golightly famously remarked, “The only thing that will help is to hail a cab and head to Tiffany’s.
Immediate calming effect The serenity and dignity of the area suggest that nothing terrible could occur there.” With the experiential addition of Blue Box Café, we are confident that customers will agree that this landmark jewelry store is both tranquil and aspirational. And what is more bucket list worthy than a day spent living like Audrey Hepburn? Photography: Finally, You Can Have Breakfast at Tiffany’s (Yes, That Tiffany’s)! Over fifty years after the film’s release, it is now possible to eat breakfast at Tiffany’s.
New York’s Fifth Avenue flagship store has launched a luxury home and accessories collection on the fourth floor and in conjunction with the opening. Just in time for the New Year, this spot is on the minds of every New York City shopper and is quickly making its way onto the brunch bucket list of every Holly Golightly fan.
Robin’s Egg Blue Reigns Supreme This chic café is completely decorated in Tiffany & Co.’s signature Robin’s Egg Blue, for which the company has long been recognized. Before entering the café, located on the fourth floor of the Tiffany & Co. headquarters, you’ll peruse the new home and accessories collection, where you’re likely to find an item as extravagant as Reed Krakoff’s $10,000 sterling silver nest with porcelain robin’s eggs.
An Exceptional Holly Golightly New York Experiencing Guests of the Blue Box Café can sit down for a full-service breakfast, lunch, or afternoon tea, unlike Holly Golightly, who typically enjoyed her morning coffee and croissant while admiring the jewels in the Tiffany & Co.
- Windows. On the menu are New York City staples such as smoked salmon and bagels, a salad with lobster, grapefruit, and avocado, and a club sandwich named after the company’s founder.
- You can snack on finger sandwiches and sweet treats while sipping Bellocq tea blends from the formal Tiffany Tea menu.
- This New York City gem is the only high tea location worthy of being on your #bucketlistbrunch.
Even would agree. A Four-Level Treasure Hoard Holly Golightly famously remarked, “The only thing that will help is to hail a cab and head to Tiffany’s. Immediate calming effect The serenity and dignity of the area suggest that nothing terrible could occur there.” With the experiential addition of Blue Box Café, we are confident that customers will agree that this landmark jewelry store is both tranquil and aspirational.
- And what is more bucket list worthy than a day spent living like Audrey Hepburn? Photography: Through August 4th, simply text, email, and share your Coco Link with your guests to pass along exclusive hotel deals and receive $5 off each reservation.
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A powder room is also known as a half bathroom or guest bathroom. It lacks two of the four essential components of a bathroom, namely a toilet and a sink. A powder room is typically located on the first floor of a multi-story home, making it convenient for guests and family members who do not wish to use a bathroom located upstairs.
