Truman Capote's masterpiece of American literature, Breakfast at Tiffany's, is a wonderful story about misguided love. The novel definitely deserves a place within any collection of literature, and epically deserves a place within a collection of women's literature, as it presents a snapshot of a very human woman from 1950s United States. Holly is not a woman you might want to pin down, or one you might aspire to become, especially since her flaws are exposed for all to see. However, she certainly represents a cultured woman of the American 1950s, a modern, carefree and detached debutante. Her character defines the social changes that occurred during the post-World War II 1950s, when women gained the independence they had never shared with men before the war, and the period of growth that was inevitable as they learned to walk on their own . , free and lively; women gained independence, but had not yet acquired the ability to support themselves: this was a flaw in society. The novel shows this change beautifully, from the point of view of a man who falls in love with one of these wild and lively new creatures that he doesn't fully understand. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The narrator, or “Fred” as he is called by Holly, is fascinated by this curious and unique creature who resides in his apartment building. His first encounter, in which she enters the fire escape to avoid a man who is biting her, seems to take him by surprise. She's cheeky, doesn't seem to mind climbing into his bed to cuddle, confident in her sexuality. Throughout the novel this is a recurring theme. Women of the pre-World War II era would have been very offended by this type of behavior, but it seems to intrigue our narrator. As the story progresses, the narrator develops more than a passing interest in his neighbor, falling deeply in love with her, but always knowing that she won't have him. Her affair with Joe Bell at the bar is the most significant, as it seems not to be directed at Joe Bell, but rather at "Fred", although she never seems to understand that it is intended for him. Holly tells Joe "Never love a wild thing... you can't give your heart to a wild thing: the more you do, the stronger it becomes." (Capete 209) "Fred" never receives the message, already blinded by his love for her. She also warns him that he will fly away if he tries to get too close, a promise he ultimately keeps. Holly is a fiercely independent woman, and this makes her attractive to every man she comes in contact with. Serious mischaracterizations of Holly are sometimes made, including the accusation that she is a whore or a prostitute. Of course, her behavior is not something that will ever win her a medal. He uses almost everyone he comes in contact with, whether for money or simply as his playthings. However, he does not pressure these people to join his company. They prefer to be close to her. His personality is magnetic throughout much of the novel. She's not a great person, but she's certainly a wonderful picture of the kind of woman people wanted to have in the 1950s. He also didn't use these people out of pure hatred, but out of necessity. She had to survive her childhood as a runaway in one of the most difficult times in US history, obviously without any real formal education that would provide her with a job to take care of herself. She was forced to marry at the age of fourteen, again out of necessity, to find a way to provide for both herself and her brother. He later leaves the situation, not why, 1993.