Highsmith — The Price Of Salt By Patricia

Carol’s former lover and loyal friend, who serves as a bridge between Carol’s past and present. 4. Themes to Explore

Originally published under the pseudonym Claire Morgan because Highsmith’s publishers feared being associated with "lesbian fiction" [1, 2]. The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith

Highsmith based the character of Carol on a blonde woman in a mink coat she saw while working at Bloomingdale’s during the 1948 Christmas rush [2, 5]. 2. Plot Summary Carol’s former lover and loyal friend, who serves

Sophisticated, wealthy, and burdened by the social expectations of her class. She must choose between her daughter and her authentic self. Highsmith based the character of Carol on a

The story follows , a stage designer working a temporary job at a department store. She becomes infatuated with Carol Aird , an elegant suburban mother undergoing a difficult divorce. Their relationship develops during a cross-country road trip, but they are pursued by a private investigator hired by Carol’s husband to gather evidence of her "moral turpitude" to win a custody battle [1, 6]. 3. Key Characters

Highsmith focuses heavily on how Therese watches Carol—the obsession with details like gloves, perfume, and cigarettes [5].