Breakfast at Tiffany's

Definition

Breakfast at Tiffany's is a 1961 film directed by Blake Edwards, based on Truman Capote's novella. The film is known for its iconic portrayal of the character Holly Golightly, played by Audrey Hepburn, but it also embodies problematic stereotypes and the practice of yellowface, particularly through the casting of Mickey Rooney as Mr. Yunioshi, a Japanese character.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The film features Mickey Rooney in yellowface as Mr. Yunioshi, which has been criticized for perpetuating harmful stereotypes about Asians and for its racial insensitivity.
2. Audrey Hepburn's portrayal of Holly Golightly has been both celebrated and critiqued; while she became an icon, the film reflects a limited and romanticized view of New York City life.
3. Breakfast at Tiffany's showcases the contrast between wealth and poverty, represented through Holly's lifestyle and her interactions with her neighbor Paul Varjak, played by George Peppard.
4. The film is often discussed in the context of Hollywood's historical treatment of Asian characters, where authentic representation was rare and often replaced by caricatures.
5. Despite its problematic elements, Breakfast at Tiffany's remains a significant cultural artifact from the 1960s, influencing fashion and pop culture while also sparking discussions about race and representation in film.

Review Questions

• How does Breakfast at Tiffany's reflect stereotypes related to Asian characters through its casting choices?
  • Breakfast at Tiffany's reflects stereotypes through its casting of Mickey Rooney as Mr. Yunioshi, a character that embodies exaggerated traits associated with Asian individuals. This choice demonstrates the pervasive issue of yellowface in film, where non-Asian actors play Asian roles. Such portrayals reinforce negative stereotypes and contribute to the misrepresentation of Asian cultures within mainstream media.
• In what ways does Audrey Hepburn’s portrayal of Holly Golightly challenge or conform to societal expectations of women during the 1960s?
  • Audrey Hepburn’s portrayal of Holly Golightly both challenges and conforms to 1960s societal expectations. On one hand, Holly is an independent woman who embraces her freedom and pursues her desires, reflecting a growing shift in women's roles. However, she also embodies some traditional feminine ideals, such as being focused on romance and materialism. This duality allows the character to resonate with audiences while simultaneously critiquing the limitations placed on women during that era.
• Evaluate how Breakfast at Tiffany's serves as a reflection of broader social attitudes toward race and class in 1960s America.
  • Breakfast at Tiffany's serves as a reflection of broader social attitudes toward race and class by highlighting the disparities between wealth and poverty while simultaneously showcasing cultural insensitivity. The film romanticizes the lives of affluent characters like Holly Golightly while sidelining the struggles of those from less privileged backgrounds. Additionally, its use of yellowface illustrates the normalization of racial stereotypes in entertainment during the 1960s, which reveals much about societal views on race and representation at that time.

Related terms

Yellowface: A practice in which non-Asian actors portray Asian characters, often through exaggerated stereotypes, leading to misrepresentation in media.

Stereotypes: Oversimplified and widely held beliefs or ideas about a particular group of people, often leading to unfair generalizations.

Cultural Appropriation: The adoption of elements of one culture by members of another culture, often without permission and typically in a way that trivializes or stereotypes the original culture.