The Price of Salt

Summary

The novel «The Price of Salt» tells the love story between two women in 1950s America. Young shop assistant Therese Belivet meets Carol Aird, an elegant woman going through a divorce. A romance blossoms between them, facing numerous obstacles, including societal prejudices and personal challenges. Carol is forced to fight for custody of her daughter, complicating their relationship. Despite all difficulties, Therese and Carol find a way to be together, overcoming societal and personal barriers. The novel explores themes of love, freedom, and self-discovery within the constraints of rigid social norms.

Main Ideas

• Exploration of love and self-identity in the context of social pressure and expectations.
• The issue of homosexuality and its perception by society in the mid-20th century.
• Psychological depth of characters and their internal conflicts.
• Freedom of choice and personal independence as key motives.
• The theme of seeking happiness and self-acceptance in the face of societal judgment.

Historical Context and Significance

The novel «The Price of Salt», originally published under the title «The Price of Salt» in 1952, is a significant milestone in LGBTQ+ literature. It is one of the first works where same-sex love is depicted without a tragic ending, which was rare for that time. The book tells the love story between two women, Therese Belivet and Carol Aird, and explores themes of self-identity and social stigma. The novel's impact on culture lies in its bold portrayal of lesbian relationships in an era when such topics were taboo. «The Price of Salt» inspired many readers and authors, becoming a symbol of hope and acceptance. In 2015, the book was adapted into a film of the same name, contributing to its popularization and recognition in wider circles.

Main Characters and Their Development

• Therese Belivet - a young woman working in a department store, striving to find her place in life. She feels lost and unfulfilled until she meets Carol. Throughout the book, Therese undergoes a process of self-awareness and maturation, discovering her sexuality and independence.
• Carol Aird - an elegant and self-assured woman in the midst of a divorce. She captures Therese's attention with her charisma and style. Carol fights for the right to be herself and to maintain custody of her daughter, despite societal pressure and her ex-husband. Her relationship with Therese helps her find inner freedom and confidence.

Style and Technique

Patricia Highsmith's novel «The Price of Salt» is distinguished by its refined and psychologically rich style. The language of the work is elegant and precise, with the author skillfully conveying the inner experiences and emotional states of the characters. Highsmith uses detailed descriptions to create atmosphere and highlight the subtle nuances of the relationships between characters. Literary techniques such as internal monologue and stream of consciousness help to further reveal the characters' personalities and motives. The narrative structure is linear but enriched with flashbacks and retrospective inserts, allowing the reader to gradually immerse themselves in the world of the characters and their complex relationships. Special attention is given to dialogues, which serve as an important tool for conveying emotional tension and advancing the plot. Highsmith succeeds in creating an atmosphere of tension and anticipation, making the novel captivating and emotionally intense.

Interesting Facts

• The book was originally published under the pseudonym Claire Morgan, as publishers believed that openly discussing lesbian relationships could harm the author's career.
• It is one of the first works where lesbian love is depicted without condemnation and a tragic end, which was rare for literature of that time.
• The book is based on Patricia Highsmith's personal experience when she worked in a department store and met a woman who inspired her to create one of the main characters.
• The novel was reissued in 1990 under the author's real name and with a new title, which became more widely known — «The Price of Salt».
• The book was adapted into a successful film that received numerous awards and nominations, including six Academy Award nominations.

Book Review

Patricia Highsmith's novel «The Price of Salt», also known as «The Price of Salt», has been acclaimed for its groundbreaking depiction of lesbian relationships in the 1950s. Critics note that the book stands out among other works of the time for its honest and realistic approach to the subject, avoiding stereotypes and tragic endings typical of LGBTQ+ literature of that period. Highsmith masterfully conveys the inner world of her heroines, creating deep and multi-layered characters. Special attention is given to the psychological development of the characters and the atmosphere, which immerses the reader in a world of forbidden love and social prejudices. The novel is also praised for its literary style and tense narrative, which holds the reader's interest until the last page. Overall, «The Price of Salt» is considered an important contribution to literature focused on LGBTQ+ themes and continues to be a relevant and inspiring work for many readers.