While the novel centers on Holly Golightly, the primary perspective is that of the unnamed narrator, whom Holly initially calls Fred because he reminds her of her brother. After the original Fred is killed in action during World War II, Holly never uses that name again, instead referring to the narrator as Buster. The frame story sets up a retrospective narrative where "Fred" recalls not only his friendship with Holly but also his own introduction to New York City. Now a successful writer, he reminisces about his early attempts to publish his stories and Holly's distinct lack of enthusiasm for the type of fiction he was writing.

Clearly, he still harbors some affection for her, but he cannot fully condone her behavior. Even in his youth, he is fundamentally a conformist, reluctant to break society's rules as she does. His reaction to Joe Bell's news suggests he believes nothing good could have resulted from her reckless disregard for law and convention. Yet, there is a bond between these two outsiders. He cannot resist the allure of her free spirit; so, against his better judgment, he helps her evade the law. Although he is appalled when she seems to "discard" her cat, he keeps his promise to Holly, searching until he finds the cat and ensures it has found a home. By abandoning her cat, Holly severs all her ties to New York.

However, the story truly centers on Holly Golightly. The card on her door reads Holiday Golightly, hinting at themes of pleasure and freedom. This same card lists her occupation as "Traveling," which perfectly encapsulates her life's pattern. The narrator soon realizes her hesitance to divulge much about her past; thus, most of what he learns comes from men who have tried to "cage" her—men like the Hollywood agent O. J. Berman and her husband, Doc Golightly. These men are merely stopovers in her journey.

Berman tells "Fred" that Holly is a phony, but a genuine one; meaning, although her literal identity might be fabricated, her character and personality are exactly as they seem. Berman cannot fathom why Holly has shunned the prospect of Hollywood success, but given that her life is already a performance, she is reluctant to take on additional roles that acting would demand.

Doc Golightly appears to have a deeper understanding of Holly; consequently, she feels some affection for him. Yet, he cannot distinguish the New York "escort" from Lulamae Barnes, the young girl who sought refuge and sustenance at his ranch. He fails to see that the identity he offers her is still insufficient. After her brother's death, Holly's connection to Doc Golightly and Tulip, Texas, is permanently severed. Nevertheless, her longing for familial bonds draws her into a romance with the Brazilian diplomat Jose Ybarra-Jaegar.

Nearly every man in this novel harbors affection for Holly. For some, like the narrator and the bartender Joe Bell, this affection is pure and from a distance, although Bell admits to having sexual fantasies about Holly and suggests the narrator has similar thoughts. Their devotion is evident when they assist Holly in evading the police. The affection of O. J. Berman is more complex; he helped transform Holly from a Texas farm girl into a sophisticated New Yorker. Berman's fondness is highlighted by his secret payment for her lawyer when she gets arrested. I. Y. Yunioshi, a Japanese photographer and Holly's upstairs neighbor, is also drawn to her, frequently asking to photograph her. He is the first to recognize her likeness in an African statue. Perhaps the most genuine love in the novel comes from Doc Golightly,...