BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S is one of those enduring stories that never goes out of style — even when its original meaning is forgotten. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the story’s publication, VINTAGE INTERNATIONAL is releasing a special edition of the book, but we’re more interested in revisiting the role (and gender) of the story’s memorable protagonist, Holly Golightly.
TRUMAN CAPOTE’s novella about a Manhattan call girl is a lesson in urban frivolity, but his iconic heroine is as ambiguous as she is inspiring. While the movie adaptation retains the plot points of the original story, AUDREY HEPBURN’s depiction of Holly Golightly falls more in sync with the “manic pixie dream girl” cinema archetype (think NATALIE PORTMAN in GARDEN STATE). A careful reread of Capote’s tart tale reveals a subtly nuanced portrait of a 19-year-old call girl — a “real phony” whose original identity was not only rustic, but arguably masculine.
We actually quite prefer her.
The issue has been hotly debated for years, but with the upcoming anniversary edition it seems appropriate to question the story’s original meaning. What do you think?
Our favorite responses will win a free copy of the book.
– Chelsea Bauch