57 pages • 1 hour read
Peter StraubA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Content Warning: This guide’s source text discusses abuse of prescription substances and alcohol, suicide, physical and sexual abuse of children, violence, and sexual assault. The source text relies on anti-Black stereotypes and contains some anti-Black epithets.
Straub uses shame and pride throughout the novel to cause tension between the real and imagined, the good and evil, and the brave and courageous. Each of the protagonists faces their darkest secret and reckons with their sins. Their courage sets them on either the path of good or the path of ruin. Straub’s central thematic argument shows that one must confront one’s past to survive the present and thrive in the future.
The driving questions of the narrative are asked at the Chowder Society meeting and again throughout the text, “What is the worst thing you’ve ever done?” and “What is the worst thing that ever happened to you?” (12). The distinction from the outset is that of antagonist and protagonist. Straub sets up a dichotomy between what one does and what one endures. The Chowder Society focuses on the second question, telling the ghost stories of their past.
By Peter Straub
Aging
View Collection
Appearance Versus Reality
View Collection
Art
View Collection
Beauty
View Collection
Books on Justice & Injustice
View Collection
Books that Feature the Theme of...
View Collection
Books that Feature the Theme of...
View Collection
Brothers & Sisters
View Collection
Challenging Authority
View Collection
Earth Day
View Collection
Equality
View Collection
Fantasy
View Collection
Fate
View Collection
Fear
View Collection
Friendship
View Collection
Good & Evil
View Collection
Grief
View Collection
Guilt
View Collection
Hate & Anger
View Collection
Horror, Thrillers, & Suspense
View Collection
Loyalty & Betrayal
View Collection
Marriage
View Collection
Memory
View Collection
Mortality & Death
View Collection
Mothers
View Collection
Music
View Collection
Mystery & Crime
View Collection
Order & Chaos
View Collection
Power
View Collection
Pride Month Reads
View Collection
Pride & Shame
View Collection
Religion & Spirituality
View Collection
Revenge
View Collection
Safety & Danger
View Collection
Science Fiction & Dystopian Fiction
View Collection
Teams & Gangs
View Collection
The Past
View Collection
Trust & Doubt
View Collection
Truth & Lies
View Collection