was published in 1958 and turned into an iconic movie in 1961, starring Audrey Hepburn. In this novella, author tracks the life of Holly Golightly in New York City in the 1940s. She is a charming, enigmatic young woman living off the generosity of wealthy men. The story is told by an unnamed narrator, a young writer infatuated with Holly. She affectionately calls him Fred, as he resembles her brother. Through his eyes, the narrative captures Holly's complex personality and interactions with friends and suitors in Manhattan's social scene. These characters include Holly's roommate, Mag Wildwood, the bartender Joe Bell, and others. Holly's past and her free-spirited lifestyle are central to the plot, as she navigates relationships and ambitions with vulnerability and detachment.
Holly's character, an emblem of independence and resilience, resonates with contemporary themes of self-discovery and the quest for meaning beyond traditional roles and relationships. Below are 30+ delightful and insightful quotes from Breakfast at Tiffany's.
The best Breakfast at Tiffany's quotes on self-discovery and self-acceptance
"I am always drawn back to places where I have lived, the houses and their neighborhoods."
"I don't want to own anything until I know I've found the place where me and things belong together. I'm not quite sure where that is just yet. But I know what it's like."
"I'm very scared, Buster. Yes, at last. Because it could go on forever. Not knowing what's yours until you've thrown it away."
"You call yourself a free spirit, a 'wild thing,' and you're terrified somebody's gonna stick you in a cage."
"Maybe the older you grow and the less easy it is to put thought into action, maybe that's why it gets all locked up in your head and becomes a burden."
"The average personality re-shapes frequently, every few years even our bodies undergo a complete overhaul-desirable or not, it is a natural thing that we should change."
The best Breakfast at Tiffany's quotes on love and relationships
"Anyone who ever gave you confidence, you owe them a lot."
"I loved her enough to forget myself, my self pitying despairs, and be content that something she thought happy was going to happen."
"I told you: you can make yourself love anybody."
"Love should be allowed. I'm all for it. Now that I've got a pretty good idea what it is."
"Never love a wild thing.”
"We don't belong to each other: he's an independent, and so am I."
