As a teenager, Holly abandons her past and reinvents herself in New York, a transformation that reflects the adolescent search for identity. Yet rather than achieving a coherent sense of self, she remains caught in role confusion, performing a succession of identities—socialite, mistress, aspiring actress—without ever discovering an authentic core. This unresolved stage carries into young adulthood, where Holly confronts her crisis: the challenge of forming intimate relationships. Her charm attracts many admirers, but her deep fear of entrapment leads her to reject lasting commitments, as seen in her reluctance to marry José or even to “own” Cat, the stray who mirrors her rootlessness. In this sense, Holly chooses isolation over intimacy, valuing freedom above closeness. However, moments of vulnerability, such as releasing Cat and confronting José’s abandonment, suggest that she is beginning to recognize the emotional cost of her detachment. Though Holly never fully resolves these psychosocial conflicts within the novel, Capote portrays her as a figure in transition—unsettled between confusion and isolation, yet edging toward greater self-awareness.

The Narrator: An unnamed writer who recounts his memories of Holly Golightly and their relationship.

Joe Bell: A bartender who is acquainted with both the writer and Holly.

Mag Wildwood: Holly’s friend, a fellow socialite, and a model.

Rusty Trawler: A wealthy man who has been divorced three times and is well-known in social circles. He plans to marry Holly.

José Ybarra-Jaegar: A Brazilian diplomat who becomes Holly’s companion.

Doc Golightly: A veterinarian from Texas who was once married to Holly when she was a teenager. He seeks to bring her back to rural Texas after she ran away.

O. J. Berman: A Hollywood talent agent who discovered Holly and guided her toward becoming a professional actress. He thinks Holly is a fake but feels obligated to help her.

Salvatore “Sally” Tomato: A convicted racketeer whom Holly visits weekly in prison.

Madame Sapphia Spanella: Another tenant in the brownstone. She is a soprano who often calls Holly a whore.

Mr. I. Y. Yunioshi: A Japanese photographer who resides in the top floor studio apartment of the brownstone.

Fred Barnes: Holly’s older brother, who serves in the military during World War II. Holly explains she is saving money to support Fred after his army service.

Sid Arbuck: Helped Holly when she was drunk. He is rebuffed in his attempts to enter Holly’s apartment after a date because he only gave her 20 cents for a trip to the powder room.