The Chaser - Short Story Essay

In“The Chaser”, a short story by John Collier, a theme seen is that people will do absurd things when they are in love. This is shown in the beginning of the story while Alan Austen walks into a spooky building. He enters the apartment and is greeted by an old man on a rocking chair that seems to have been expecting him. First, Alan asks “You really sell love potions?” This shows what Alan originally comes to the old man for. It also means he is interested in buying a love potion to possibly give to someone so they can have stronger feelings for him. Next, the old man states “…You will be her sole interest in life” and Alan cries “Wonderful!” When Alan hears what the old man said he becomes very happy that the person he plans on giving the love potion to will be that devoted to him which links to the theme of the story. Finally, “… I can hardly imagine Diana like that!” cried Alan, overwhelmed with joy. This quote proves that Diana doesn’t love Alan the way he wants her to. But by the effects the old man says the love potion will have on the person drinking it, Alan becomes filled with joy knowing that Diana will begin to love him so immensely. Lastly the quotes are examples of the theme people will do absurd things when they are in love because the fact that Alan is willing to buy a love potion to replace a true relationship that has real love with an artificial relationship that has fake love appears to be very absurd. This short story written by John Collier is a perfect example of how people will do absurd things when they are in