Human relationships are very important in our daily lives. They help us to learn and grow. Highsmith captures the complexity of relationships in The Price of Salt. Jealousy, lust, love, anger etc. Humans are prone to lust, love, anger etc.
Therese Belivet is introduced as a nineteen-year-old girl who sells dolls in a department shop. After her father’s death, her mother abandoned Therese. She had a toxic relationship with her mum and felt she was not loved by her. Resentment was easy because she was reminded of the old women in her life, such as Mrs. Ruby Robichek. She was then dating Richard, a guy she didn’t like and who also made her uncomfortable. Even though her life was filled with many people, she felt lonely.
Therese was observing a woman during the Christmas season. She noticed that “she had a tall, fair figure, and her fur coat, which she wore open, looked graceful.” …. Her eyes were grey and colourless but as dominant as fire or light. Therese became infatuated. Carol had a difficult divorce. She felt that Harge didn’t love Carol. In Carol’s time, women married naturally. Carol’s lesbian past began to be exposed and tensions started to grow between her and the husband. The situation was further complicated when Carol’s daughter came into the picture and she fought for custody. Carol felt that Harge and his family disliked her. Carol felt like he controlled her, which made her lonely. After receiving a card from Therese for Christmas, Carol agreed to go meet her. Therese grew to love Carol as they continued meeting. Richard became more distant. She grows resentful of his careless lifestyle and attitude. She was only with him because of the pressure from society to marry.
Therese met Abby Gerhard soon after, Carol’s ex-lover and best friend. Therese was envious of their closeness. She thought she’d never be able to have what Carol or Abby had. Abby soon realizes that Therese cares for Carol a great deal, and begins to belittle Therese. Abby was probably threatened by Carol’s affection for Therese. Therese is becoming jealous of Abby. Abby warns Therese to not get too attached to Carol. Abby tells Therese that Carol will be taking her on a roadtrip. Carol and Therese develop a romance after a series of communication and conflict issues between Carol Therese Abby. Therese’s relationship with Richard is slowly deteriorating.
Their relationship was unique not only because they were both women with a large age difference. This created a unique dynamic for their relationship. The significant difference in class often caused tension between them. They planned, for example, to go on a vacation together in the West. Therese refuses to go at first because she lacks money. Carol gives Therese a suitcase and a check immediately. Therese rejects these two gifts, but agrees to take the Road Trip. Richard, who is still in Therese’s lives, knew that Therese was not going to go on the Road trip.
Richard is introduced to Carol on the third date of a threesome dinner with Therese. Therese says no to him and refuses to attend the concert. Carol is moved by their argument and encourages Therese not to forget other peoples’ feelings. Carol and Therese go through a series of complicated communications to finally trust each. Carol is informed by Abby that Harge sent a private detective to possibly follow them. Harge already has suspicions about Therese Carols’s relationship. He was desperate to gain full custody.
The detective recorded them for a long time. Carol confronts this detective, and together they strike a bargain. In exchange for him not following them anymore, Carol agrees that she will go back to New York. Therese chooses to stay at the West after Carol’s recommendation, but quickly begins to feel alone in the room. Carol called Therese rarely, but when she did it was with a cold tone. She became worried that Carol might never return to her. Richard returned to her life once again, only this time to express his disgust. Therese is not concerned by this, as her main concern is the relationship she has with Carol. She worries about Carol.
As she goes to the Library to get a book, she comes across a painting which reminds her Carol. The painting looked as if it was coming to life. Therese was so stunned that she ran out of the library to catch her breathe. She starts to resent Carol because she has a strong attachment to her and misses Carol a great deal. She meets Danny for dinner. Danny tells the girl that she’s matured. He asked her if Carol would return or if there was any chance of a relationship. Therese tells him that she won’t ever get back to Carol. She was so devastated that she became angry when thinking about Carol. She felt abused. She finally meets Carol in New York.
Carol informs Carol that she has lost custody of her child as well, due to the divorce. She decided to not fight and to not make any promises, as she was afraid that her daughter would not want to see her. She asks Therese what she thinks about Therese joining her new furniture company. Therese doesn’t show interest and declines Carol’s offer. She was afraid Carol might betray Therese again. Therese went to a nightclub after meeting Carol. There she met a woman called Genevieve Cranell. She flirts with her, and immediately is reminded by Carol. She then realizes that Carol is the only person she can think of. She leaves and goes to a nearby restaurant where she finds Carol. She walks up to her and looks into the grey eyes.
