The Chaser

John CollierFiction | Short Story | Adult | Published in 1940

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Download PDF

Summary

Story Analysis

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Literary Devices

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

Beta

Discussion Questions

Essay Topics

Describe Alan Austen as a character. What are his major flaws?

What are the ways in which the older man describes his products? Why won’t he describe them directly?

In some ways, the irony and brevity of Collier’s story recall the form of the joke. What makes a joke good? Conversely, what makes a joke bad? How is this contingent on the ending of the joke?