Pivotal Movie- Breakfast at Tiffany's

Breakfast at Tiffany's, released in 1961, is a pivotal movie for several different reasons. The movie was released when conformist culture had taken over and the second wave of feminism was about to take hold in America. Played by Audrey Hepburn, Holly Golightly with her black dress, up do and cigarette is considered to be one of the most iconic images of twentieth century American cinema. Perhaps the most obvious reason that this movie has an impact on American culture is because Audrey Hepburn's character Holly Golightly does not fit into the role of your traditional woman in the 1950's. Her exciting life is very different from the everyday life that most people lead. Writer Paul Varjak moves into Holly's apartment complex and Holly changes her personality and lifestyle according to the situation that she is in. Holly is a carefree socialite who values her freedom and the ability to do what she wants when she wants to do it. She often abandons parts of her life that could pose a threat to her freedom. She is battling with the ideals of stability and freedom. It is suggested that the reason for Holly's character being the way it is is because she does not conform to American convention and thus it leads to social exclusion. She feels as if she has no place in the world. There isn't really a place that she calls home. Holly would describe herself as a wild animal who is put into society. Holly does not rely on a man to take care of her and is not in the kitchen cooking with appliances. She rules her relationships with others, especially men and is very out going and is flirtatious. However, she continues to be unhappy throughout the movie. She uses her independent free nature to find fulfillment in life. 

As we discussed in class, people have outlets for dealing with anxieties about growing up and finding one's place in the world. Holly is constantly trying to figure out who she is and what she wants. It is something that everyone deals with at one point or another in their life. Perhaps we cannot pull out specific parts of the movie and relate those to our lives, but the bigger themes of the movie are relatable. In the end, Holly becomes happy and takes in her freedom, for a man who brings fulfillment to her life.