'Love In John Collier's The Chaser'

John Collier writes the short story, The Chaser, telling of how a desperate, love-craving man, Alan Austen, finds himself helplessly turning to an old man for the solution to a problem only magic can fix. Deprived of love from the girl, Diana, who has caused him constant saudade, Alan makes a purchase. The trickery of the old man’s bargain is nonexistent to Alan and, eagerly, he accepts the love potion. A one dollar purchase that will have a snowball effect, eventually leading to an obsessive Diana, no free time, an extremely frustrated Alan, and, eventually, a second potion purchase. Untraceable, tasteless, and colourless, the glove-cleaner, or, life-cleaner, will rid Alan of the stress coming his way.

“‘I look at it like this’, said the

old man. ‘Please a customer with one article, and he will come back when he needs another. Even if it is more costly. He will save save up for it, if necessary.’” (558)
The theme of the story tells that getting what you think you want, is not always what you actually need. If the person who you love does not love you back, it clearly is not meant to be. Love is not something that should be purchased and used to brainwash the one you desire. Regret will follow Alan’s decisions.