"The Return of Chorb" deals with the grief felt over a lost loved one. Rather than ignore or escape the pain, the story’s main character forces himself to re-live every moment of the past, as painful as that may be. There may be a lesson here in the importance of mourning: we can’t simply move on, but rather have to undergo the pain of suffering before we can put certain ghosts to rest.
Questions About Suffering
- What is the nature of Chorb’s reaction to his wife’s death? Is it grief? Guilt? Anger?
- Is the reader made aware of the Kellers' suffering? Why or why not?
- What is the effect of our not knowing Chorb’s wife’s name? Or the prostitute’s name? Or the lackey’s name?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
Chorb’s actions are designed to intentionally cause himself suffering.
Chorb’s actions are designed to intentionally avoid suffering through the grief of his wife’s death.