In A Sentimental Journey, Laurence Sterne places particular emphasis on the exchange of money. The intentional emphasis on this topic is evident in the monetary terms found throughout the text, particularly in the form of metaphors placed in unexpected places. The buying and selling process provides opportunities for social interaction between men and women. The characters of both sexes take advantage of this desexualized setting to speak to each other freely. For Yorick, these interactions exist in a domain outside of commerce. It seems that the exchange, apart from the money, is for him the crucial aspect in these moments. Yorick seeks simple human interaction. He desperately wants to believe that feeling, or at least something emotional and romantic, determines human action. But his own narration betrays his true worldview. Everything is commerce, including human beings themselves. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay. Sterne litters Yorick's narration with well-disguised reminders of the world of commerce that lies behind every type of exchange. Monetary terms refer to everything except money. For example, Yorick will say “it cost the honest man grief” (98) or “cost me infinite pain to get anything out of it” (126). Moments like these serve to subtly remind the reader of the losses and gains inherent in any situation, not just economic. A slightly different use of this tactic occurs in metaphors that involve monetary vocabulary. He says, "I still perceive my heart shut up - I can hardly find in it what to give sixpence to Misery" (57) to refer to his feelings when he is between two loves. Later, Yorick proclaims before a count that “a polite nation…makes every man its debtor” (114). When the Count does not understand, the language lingers on monetary terms, as Yorick uses "a few of King William's shillings as smooth as glass in [his] pocket" (114) and illustrates his point by making the coins represent the French. . He uses similar language when talking about a woman who "didn't care for a cent" (134), once again incorporating this terminology. His language gradually becomes a strange financial slang. And even though he openly discusses his obsession with feeling, he seems less aware of his obsession with money. Here the author's hand is seen as the narration becomes a commentary on the character of its speaker. A crucial complexity in the novel lies in the nuances in the author's and narrator's treatment of the theme of money. Sterne uses the familiarity of monetary terms to communicate with the reader but also to enable unchaperoned communication between the characters. An example is "The Discount" (48-50) in which Yorick is able to talk with a shy widow while shopping for a new "chair". The first few paragraphs describe the purchasing process in detail, giving detailed pictures of several purchases Yorick will not make. He talks about "a few chairs...[that] were too nice," so he "moves to a third...and immediately [begins] to worry about the price" (48). This tactic could be seen as an underhanded attempt by Yorick to convince the reader that this process attracts his attention as much as that of the woman he is allowed to speak with because of this coin exchange. Daily trade use required is an effective mask. for Yorick's inappropriate flirting. Unsupervised interactions between men and women are obviously more acceptable when it is asort of real monetary exchange. This is clearly illustrated when a butler explains his reluctance to forgive Yorick for having “locked up a young woman with [him] for two hours that evening” (120). Even though "[he recognizes] that it is necessary... that a stranger in Paris should have the opportunity to purchase lace and silk", this is only made inappropriate if "Monsieur... n 'didn't buy anything' (121). Social taboos like this explain the role of money in bringing men and women together. Yorick uses this potential often. When he stops at a glove store to ask for directions and finds himself seduced by the "most beautiful Grisset... [he] has ever seen" (74), he cannot leave without buying something . When his assistant arrives to help him with the directions he was supposed to be looking for, he suddenly decides that “by the way,…[he] want[s] a few pairs [himself]” (77). The term “about” means of course, or naturally, and therefore suggests that paying for anything is the appropriate behavior at this time. The sensuality of Sterne's language in the moments that follow only proves the absolute lack of importance in the exchange of money that is taking place. Two people go through the motions of normal commerce while "The beautiful Grisset measures them one by one on [her] hand... She [begs] him to try on just one pair, which [seems] to be the least - She [ holds it] open - [his] hand slips in immediately - That won't do the trick, [he said] shaking [his] head a little - No, [said] she, doing the same thing ." (77). In the end, Yorick buys the gloves even though they don't fit him, only proving that he relies on the exchange of goods to flirt with women in public. The careful downplaying of money in these situations reveals its real role in Yorick's journey. His instinct to buy something he doesn't need suggests he may be confused about his own intentions. Sometimes he consciously uses money as a vehicle for something else. He admits this understanding when he says: “When a virtuous convention is established between man and woman, it sanctifies their most intimate walks” (90). But when recounting his encounters, he does not speak so much of monetary rewards as of “sentimental” rewards. When he sees a beggar asking for money only from women, and getting it without fail, he is immediately very curious to know "what kind of story it was, and what kind of of eloquence it could be, which softened the hearts of women” (119). He cannot forget this spectacle, and he later explains that “[he] would have given anything to [get] to the bottom of things; and that, not out of curiosity, it is such a low principle of investigation, in general, [he] would not buy the gratification of it with a twopence piece - but a secret... which softens so early and so certainly the heart of every woman you [approach], [is] at least one secret equal to the philosopher’s stone” (123). It is interesting to note that once again he speaks in inappropriate monetary terms. His excessive interest in this man's "secret" betrays his desperate search for any opportunity to successfully pilot any type of exchange. His price is different from that of the beggar: he wants to learn how to get everything he wants from a woman. He is obsessed with an act that has all the hallmarks of a sale, without the actual transfer of money. People and emotions are the currency of choice in most Yorick exchanges. Stress over money is simply stress over reward. The reward varies depending on the situation, but it is rarely the actual item purchased. Gratitude is a commodity deemed valuable in its unique trade. He is immediately struck when the beautiful Grisset in the glove shop gets up to answer his first..