"Carol" Summary

Introduction

Step into the smoky department stores and shadowy city streets of 1950s New York, and meet two women whose chance encounter turns into a love story both dangerous and luminous. Patricia Highsmith’s Carol—originally published as The Price of Salt—is a groundbreaking work of fiction that boldly explores forbidden love at a time when such stories were rarely told. Often hailed as a pivotal novel in LGBTQ+ literature, Carol combines the suspense of a psychological thriller with the aching lyricism of a romance, all crafted by one of the twentieth century’s most enigmatic writers.

Whether you’re a college student analyzing queer representation in literature, a lecturer probing mid-century American culture, or a reader looking for a tale of courage and longing, Carol is a novel that will draw you in and refuse to let go. Let’s unlock its secrets together.

Historical Context

Highsmith’s Carol was written in the early 1950s—a time when American society was in the grip of conservatism, and same-sex relationships were taboo, often criminalized, and almost never depicted sympathetically in literature or film. The novel was originally published under a pseudonym, "Claire Morgan," and its honest, complex portrayal of lesbian love was unprecedented.

The 1950s were an era of postwar conformity and the rise of the nuclear family ideal. Against this backdrop, Carol stands out as a quiet act of rebellion. Highsmith’s own experiences as a queer woman in a repressive society informed her work, and the novel drew on her real-life affair with a glamorous older woman she met while working in a department store.

Table: Key Historical Elements

Brief Synopsis

Plot Overview

Carol centers on Therese Belivet, a young aspiring set designer, and Carol Aird, an elegant older woman in the midst of a difficult divorce. Their paths cross in a Manhattan department store during the Christmas season. What begins as a brief encounter—a salesgirl helping a customer buy a doll—quickly blossoms into an intense and complicated relationship.

As Therese and Carol’s bond deepens, they embark on a road trip that becomes both an escape and a test of their feelings. But the shadow of Carol's custody battle threatens their happiness, forcing both women to navigate a world hostile to their love.

Setting

The novel unfolds in a vividly rendered 1950s New York City, with its chilly winter streets, bustling department stores, and smoky diners. As the story progresses, the characters travel through the American Midwest, their journey echoing the sense of isolation and discovery at the heart of their relationship. The atmosphere is at once oppressive and electric, reflecting both the restrictions and the possibilities of the era.

Main Characters

Let’s meet the central figures who drive this unforgettable story:

Plot Summary

To keep things spoiler-friendly, here’s a structured overview of the main narrative developments:

The Encounter

Therese Belivet is a nineteen-year-old working a monotonous job at Frankenberg’s department store, dreaming of a more artistic life. One day, Carol Aird enters the store searching for a Christmas gift for her daughter. Therese is captivated by Carol’s poise and beauty; their brief exchange leaves an indelible mark.

The Connection

Therese sends Carol a Christmas card—an impulsive gesture that opens the door to a deeper connection. Carol invites Therese to her home in suburban New Jersey. The two women quickly form a bond, sharing confidences and exploring the city together. Carol’s elegant world is a revelation to Therese, who is still figuring out her place in the world.

Complications

Carol’s personal life is fraught: she’s in the midst of a bitter divorce, and her husband, Harge, threatens to use her relationship with Therese against her in a custody battle. Therese, meanwhile, struggles to define her feelings for Carol, especially as her boyfriend Richard pressures her to conform to societal norms.

The Road Trip

Seeking respite from the pressures at home, Carol and Therese embark on a cross-country road trip. Their journey is filled with moments of joy and intimacy, but also with tension and fear as they realize they are being followed by a private investigator hired by Harge. The ever-present threat of exposure and scandal looms over their growing love.

The Confrontation

The couple’s idyll is shattered when their relationship is discovered. Faced with losing custody of her daughter, Carol is forced to make a heart-wrenching decision. Therese, devastated and alone, must confront her own identity and the meaning of love in a world that refuses to accept her.

The Resolution

Without revealing too much, the novel’s conclusion is remarkable for its time. Highsmith allows her characters hope and agency, breaking from the tragic endings that defined so much of gay and lesbian fiction of the era.

Themes and Motifs

Carol is a rich, multi-layered novel. Here are some of its central themes:

Identity and Self-Discovery

Therese’s journey is as much about discovering her own desires and ambitions as it is about her love for Carol. The novel traces her transformation from a passive observer to a woman willing to claim her own life.

Forbidden Love and Societal Repression

Highsmith’s depiction of same-sex love is striking for its honesty and lack of moralizing. The novel confronts the social and legal barriers facing LGBTQ+ people in the 1950s, exploring the costs of living authentically.

Motherhood and Sacrifice

Carol’s struggle to balance her role as a mother with her personal happiness is a central conflict. Highsmith treats Carol’s choices with empathy, highlighting the limited options available to women—especially queer women—of the time.

Surveillance and Paranoia

The presence of the private investigator injects a sense of tension and fear, mirroring the real-world dangers faced by queer individuals in a society that polices their relationships.

Table: Major Themes

Literary Techniques and Style

Patricia Highsmith is best known for her psychological thrillers, and her skill at building tension is on full display in Carol. Yet the novel’s style is also marked by its restraint and intimacy.

Psychological Realism

Highsmith’s talent for psychological insight makes Therese’s interior journey vivid and believable. The narrative closely follows Therese’s thoughts and emotions, immersing the reader in her perspective.

Understated Prose

The writing is spare but evocative, capturing the unspoken tension between characters. Highsmith’s descriptions of place and gesture create a palpable atmosphere, with subtle cues signaling emotional undercurrents.

Symbolism

Objects—such as the doll Carol buys for her daughter, or the gloves she leaves behind—take on symbolic weight, representing desire, loss, and connection.

Narrative Structure

The novel is told primarily from Therese’s point of view, which both limits and deepens our understanding of Carol. This narrative choice heightens the sense of longing and uncertainty.

Author's Background

Patricia Highsmith (1921–1995) was an American novelist known for her psychological thrillers and crime fiction. She achieved fame for her debut, Strangers on a Train, and for the Ripley series.

Table: Patricia Highsmith at a Glance

Highsmith’s own struggles with her sexuality and outsider status deeply informed her writing. Unlike her more famous thrillers, Carol is notable for its tenderness and optimism—a testament to her artistic range and personal courage.

Key Takeaways

• Carol is a pioneering novel of queer love that defies the tragic conventions of its time.
• The story remains relevant for its exploration of identity, desire, and the costs of authenticity.
• Highsmith’s psychological insight and spare prose create a deeply immersive reading experience.
• The novel challenges readers to consider the ways society polices love—and the courage it takes to resist.

Reader's Takeaway

Reading Carol is like finding a letter slipped under your door—intimate, urgent, and full of longing. For students and scholars, it’s a window into the hidden lives of mid-century Americans, and a reminder of the progress and challenges facing LGBTQ+ communities today. For all readers, it’s a love story that refuses to be defined by tragedy, offering instead the quiet possibility of hope.

You’ll come away from Carol with a deeper understanding of the ways love transforms us—and a renewed appreciation for the power of literature to break silence and change hearts.

Conclusion

Carol by Patricia Highsmith is more than a love story; it’s a landmark in American fiction, a snapshot of a vanished era, and a testament to the resilience of the human heart. With its nuanced characters, tense atmosphere, and groundbreaking themes, Carol resonates across decades and disciplines.

Whether you’re reading for class, research, or pleasure, Carol is a novel that demands contemplation and rewards it with beauty and insight. Don’t just take our word for it—open the book and let its spell work on you.