Characters
Who is Sucker in the story?
Pete’s younger cousin who admires him.
Where does the story take place?
Mostly in Pete and Sucker’s shared home/bedroom.
What theme is central to the story?
The pain of growing up and lost innocence.
“It was like he belonged to me.” Who said this and about whom?
Pete about Sucker.
Who wrote “Sucker”?
Carson McCullers
What is Pete’s main personality trait early in the story?
Kind and protective toward Sucker.
Why does Pete start ignoring Sucker?
He becomes obsessed with Maybelle and is embarrassed by Sucker.
What does Sucker represent in Pete’s life?
Dependence and unconditional admiration.
“He looked at me with eyes that weren’t the same.” What does this suggest?
Sucker has changed and no longer admires Pete.
When was the story first published?
1936
Who is Maybelle and why is she important?
The girl Pete likes; she causes a shift in Pete and Sucker’s relationship.
What event causes Pete to lash out at Sucker?
Maybelle humiliates Pete, and he takes out his anger on Sucker.
How does Maybelle symbolize change for Pete?
She represents desire, adolescence, and rejection.
“I had the notion Maybelle was looking at me that way, too.” What does this reveal about Pete?
His growing ego and desire for attention.
What other famous novel did Carson McCullers write?
The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter.
How does Sucker change by the end of the story?
He becomes withdrawn, distant, and self-reliant.
How does Pete feel after Sucker stops admiring him?
Regretful and lonely.
Which theme is connected to Pete’s treatment of Sucker?
Power dynamics and emotional cruelty.
Which quote foreshadows the broken bond?
Any line where Pete assumes Sucker will always look up to him.
How old was McCullers when she wrote “Sucker”?
Around 19 years old.
What does Sucker’s nickname symbolize about his role in the story?
His vulnerability and willingness to believe in Pete.
What is the final image of Sucker that Pete describes?
A hardened, cold boy who no longer looks up to Pete.
How does the story explore vulnerability?
By showing how emotional dependence makes both Pete and Sucker fragile.
Give a quote that best illustrates the story’s theme of lost innocence.
“When Sucker looked at me, it wasn’t the same.”
What themes in “Sucker” appear in McCullers’ later works?
Loneliness, isolation, and complicated relationships