John Collier and his short stories. Compares the short stories with a common theme

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John Collier, a contemporary English author, was born in London, England on May 3,1901 and lived his last years in Palisades, California where he died of a stroke on April 6, 1980. Collier was a writer of the 1920's era, educated in post-Victorian England, and according to Anthony Burgess in the London Times. He was known for 'literary allusiveness and quiet wit' (Contemporary Authors 111). A collection of his most memorable works was published in 1972 entitled The John Collier Reader. His literary style reached beyond his native country and became popular in the United States.

John Collier's writings are full of surprises. His short stories combine an element of horror as well as love which are focused on the relationships of the young and old. Collier is notable for lightly carried erudition, literary allusiveness and quiet wit, according to Anthony Burgess. Anthony Burgess, a novelist, said though not a writer of the very first rank, he possessed considerable literary skill and a rare capacity to entertain (Contemporary Authors 111).

Collier's readers are involved in his writings by trick endings or 'take away endings' in which readers are given all clues but asked to finish, the story on their own (Critical Survey 1169). His subject manner is often the line between logical or psychological meaning. The subject contains an irony that is well balanced between an element of horror and humor. His short stories are based on relationships of the young and old. Collier's characters are hoping to fulfill their dreams and they do have them fulfilled but only to discover they have been dreaming the wrong thing.

'The Chaser' is a story that deals with a man's dream of gaining a woman's love through a potion. The man wants the love of this woman so badly that...