45 pages 1 hour read

Patricia Highsmith

Strangers On A Train

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1950

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Chapters 19-21

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 19 Summary

Bruno becomes obsessed with seeing Guy and entertains a grandiose view of himself: “the deed [...] sat upon his head like a crown” (116). He feels imprisoned in his own house, so he takes a cruise on a friend's yacht with his mother. Bruno tells himself he feels strained by the police enquiry, believes Guy will reconsider, and plans his father's murder. He contemplates doing it himself but is prevented by his father's private detective. He drunkenly falls into the water at Port-au-Prince after a run-in with some Puerto Rican sailors. Bruno is suddenly enraged at Guy and feels jealousy towards Anne. Bruno decides to force Guy to kill his father.

Chapter 20 Summary

Bruno succeeds in coercing Guy into having a drink with him. Bruno asks Guy why he hasn't turned him over to the police already and says he will frame Guy if he does. Guy considers that Bruno will not break down in court. Instead, Guy decides to distance himself from Bruno. Bruno tells Guy to kill his father. On another occasion, Bruno attempts to intercept Guy leaving his office, but Guy climbs into a taxi. 

Related Titles

By Patricia Highsmith

Study Guide

logo

The Price of Salt

Patricia Highsmith

The Price of Salt

Patricia Highsmith

Study Guide

logo

The Talented Mr. Ripley

Patricia Highsmith

The Talented Mr. Ripley

Patricia Highsmith