The Price of Salt

I’m really enjoying this novel, however I can’t seem to figure out how I feel about the character of Therese. While at times I’m interested in some of her romantic notions and thoughts, there’s something about her history and interactions with the people around her that make her feel very constructed to me. Even though we learn about her time at school, Sister Alicia, and eventually find out about her mother’s role in her life, I think the fact that she is so alone at the start of the novel, so unconnected and uprooted, affects the way I can relate to her. It’s as if there isn’t a social context to place her in – the closest we get is through her relationship with Richard, and this obviously is complicated in itself. At times where she takes more agency, for example when she is totally honest with Richard, I find that I like her more, but sometimes I lose interest in her common role as a spectator. A part of this might be the narrative style. Also, because Highsmith portrays Carol as the sleek, desirable, and most attractive character, as a reader it is very easy to pay a lot of attention to her. I find that I am almost more entranced by Carol’s character than Terry’s.
I also noticed especially after reading “Catcher in the Rye” how Highsmith portrays New York in such an un-glamorous way. Between Terry’s negative experiences at the department store and places such as her drab apartment and the deli she goes to with Mrs. Robicheck, New York, at its best, is shown pretty neutrally. Maybe this is supposed to work in contrast the seclusion and appeal of Carol’s country house. It’s interesting to see how as Terry grows emotionally closer to Carol she also becomes more and more physically removed from the city, (for example, in the visits to Carol’s house and then the trip they take). This reminded me of other literature where there is a definite division between city and country, and how oftentimes the country can be seen as a sheltered and distant place to woo a lover. Whether Highsmith meant this intentionally or not, I think it’s an interesting parallel.