Short Fiction · Chapter
Cost of Living explained
Carrin, a man haunted by the recent suicide of his friend Miller, spends his day off preparing for a visit from an Avignon Electric finance man.
What happens
Carrin, a man haunted by the recent suicide of his friend Miller, spends his day off preparing for a visit from an Avignon Electric finance man. Despite the luxury of his automated home, he cannot shake a vague fear. He signs a contract mortgaging his son's future earnings for new appliances, then goes to his monotonous factory job where he reflects on his unfulfilled dream of becoming a rocket pilot.
Themes in this chapter
Consumerism and Debt
Carrin's day revolves around acquiring new appliances on credit, mortgaging his son's future earnings, highlighting the trap of consumer debt.
Humanity and Technology
The automated home and factory reduce human effort but also contribute to Carrin's sense of emptiness and lack of purpose.
Characters to notice
- Cost of Living Carrin
Protagonist who is troubled by Miller's suicide and signs a debt contract for his son's future earnings.
- Mr. Pathis
Avignon Finance representative who convinces Carrin to sign the contract.
- Billy
Carrin's son, who expresses uncertainty about his future career.
- Leela
Carrin's wife, who goes shopping and buys a negligee.
- Mr. Miller
A friend whose recent suicide triggers Carrin's existential unease.
Key passages
“Cost of Living Carrin decided that he could trace his present mood to Miller’s suicide last week. But the knowledge didn’t help him get rid of the vague, formless fear in the back of his mind.”
Carrin blames his unease on Miller's suicide, but understanding this doesn't dispel his anxiety.
Establishes the central psychological conflict of the chapter.
“Why, sir, today the average man is living like a king. A hundred years ago the richest man in the world couldn’t buy what any ordinary citizen possesses at present. You mustn’t look upon it as a debt. It’s an investment.”
Pathis argues that modern luxuries make debt worthwhile, reframing it as an investment rather than a burden.
Exemplifies the consumerist ideology that drives the plot.
“Carrin had eight hours in front of him, and he loosened his belt to prepare for it. Eight hours of pushing buttons and listening to a machine announce its readiness.”
Carrin's job is mindless repetition, pressing buttons on perfect washing machines.
Highlights the dehumanizing monotony of automated labor.