Irony In The Chaser

The short story, “The Chaser”, written by John Collier, portrays an overall message that a person cannot force another person to fall in love with them; even if one person believes that they are meant to be together. The theme of the short story is about love and how it can have its deceiving ways. Love can mean many different things, depending upon who the person. If a person is forceful for love, or tricks someone for love, it’s not true love or even love at all. Through Jon Collier’s brilliant use of sarcasm, irony and symbolism, he describes how a young man tries to do whatever it takes for a woman to fall in love with him.

The first element used in “The Chaser” is sarcasm. In the story, there is an old man who owns a shop that

Alan Austin goes to, to purchase something very important. Alan Austin is looking for a love potion that he can use on a young, beautiful woman he loves. He wants her to show the same love and affection towards him. The old man agrees to give him the love potion, but warns him by saying, “She will, when she has taken this. She will care intensely. You will be her soul interest in life.” (Collier) When Alan hears the news the old man told him, he is pleased that the results of the love potion will do the magic he needs it to do. But he does not understand what the main point of the old man’s words. When Diana takes the love potion, she will want everything to do with him. She will be attached to Alan for the rest of his life. The old man tries to get the point across to Alan by telling him that when Diana takes the potion, the effects of such a powerful substance will ultimately cause Alan to regret the foolish act he just made.
The second element used in The Chaser” is irony.

The old man explains two different types of potions. The first type of potion isn’t really a potion it’s more of a poison. “Here is a liquid as colorless as water, almost tasteless, quite imperceptible, in coffee, wine or any other beverage. One might call it a life-cleaner” (Collier). The old man later goes on to tell Alan that the life-cleaner’s price is five thousand dollars, not a penny less. Then the old man talks about the love potion as he says, “This is just a dollar” (Collier). The ironic part about the two potions is the price the old man offers for each of them. Everyone who goes to the old man wants the love potion not knowing the powerful affects the potion has when the potion gets used. The life-cleaner on the other hand has a price of five thousand dollars. A customer would think to themselves when the old man explains the potion to them, why would someone pay that much for a poison and the love potion is very cheap? The old man knows the true affects the love potion has when it is used and knows the customers will be back to counteract the effects of the potion. That’s why the poison is five thousand dollars. The person will have no choice but to buy the poison in order for them to end the effects of the love

potion.
The third element in The Chaser” is symbolism. There are two different types of potions the old man mentions to Alan, the love potion and the life-cleaner. To Alan, the love potion is what he needs in order to receive the love he wants from Diana. Alan will finally be able to have Diana all to himself when she takes the love potion. The potion symbolizes the desire he wants from Diana in order for her to fall in love with him. The meaning of the life-cleaner or the poison on the other hand has to do with the freedom he will receive from Diana. Alan will get the poison that will ultimately kill Diana. It will then free Alan from all of Diana’s smothering of love and affection.
The author’s entire message of this short story is to think before you act. What might appear to be an easy answer, will have its repercussions later on. The love that Alan feels so strongly for Diana, could become smothering and meaningless to him. The author stresses the top priorities in life when it comes to loving someone. Love is not about smothering someone, but sharing a common bond where both parties’ interests and feelings are taken into consideration.