The novella follows the story of an unnamed narrator and his fascinating neighbor, Holly Golightly, over the course of a year in New York City.
The narrator, an aspiring writer, becomes intrigued by the charming and eccentric Holly, who lives by her wits and socializes with wealthy men. Holly is a teenage runaway who reinvented herself as a free-spirited socialite, visiting Tiffany's jewelry store to escape her anxieties. She makes a living by accepting money from her gentlemen companions and delivering coded messages to a jailed mobster named Sally Tomato.
Holly hosts wild parties attended by various characters, including a Hollywood agent, a millionaire, and an eccentric model. Despite her carefree facade, Holly harbors secrets about her past, including a brief teenage marriage to a man named Doc Golightly. As the narrator gets to know Holly better, he becomes infatuated with her and they develop a close friendship.
However, Holly's inner circle crumbles when her friends suspect her of infidelity. The arrival of Doc Golightly also shakes things up, as he reveals Holly's real name is Lulamae Barnes and recounts their marriage when she was just 14 after running away from an abusive home. In the end, Holly decides to leave for Brazil but has a change of heart, reuniting with the narrator in a poignant conclusion.

Freedom vs. Captivity
Holly Golightly's free-spirited nature and refusal to be "caged" or tied down symbolizes her desire for freedom, represented by her nameless cat. Her visits to Tiffany's represent a longing for stability and belongin.

Identity and Reinvention
Holly has reinvented herself, leaving her rural past behind to become a New York socialite. Her true identity remains a mystery throughout the novella.

Loneliness and Human Connection
Despite her many acquaintances, Holly keeps people at arm's length, suggesting an underlying loneliness. Her deepening bond with the narrator hints at her desire for genuine connection.

First-Person Narration
The story is told from the perspective of the unnamed narrator, allowing readers to see Holly through his eyes while also revealing his own character.

Symbolism
Color symbolism is prominent, with Holly associated with yellow roses, her red cat, and "the mean reds" - her term for depression. Tiffany's itself symbolizes the status and belonging Holly wants.

Frame Narrative
As a frame story recounted years later, the narrator's memories of Holly remain mysterious, underscoring her mystique.

In summary, "Breakfast at Tiffany's" explores themes of freedom, identity, loneliness, and human connection through Capote's symbolic use of color, the first-person narration, and the unusual Holly Golightly character.