The swimmer literary analysis. The Swimmer Literary Analysis Essay Example 2022-10-23
The swimmer literary analysis
Rating:
4,1/10
175
reviews
"The Swimmer" is a short story by John Cheever that was first published in 1964. The story follows Neddy Merrill, a wealthy suburbanite who decides to swim home through a series of pools in his neighborhood on a hot summer day. As he makes his way through the pools, Neddy encounters various neighbors and friends who provide insight into his life and relationships.
One of the main themes of "The Swimmer" is the loss of youth and the passage of time. Neddy is described as being in his mid-forties and is in good physical shape, but he is also depicted as being somewhat out of touch with reality. As he swims from pool to pool, he reflects on his past and the changes that have occurred in his life. He thinks about his children, who are now grown and living their own lives, and he muses about the passage of time and the impermanence of youth.
Another significant theme in "The Swimmer" is the decline of the American Dream. Neddy is a successful, wealthy man who lives in a large, luxurious home and has a beautiful wife and children. However, as he swims through the pools, he encounters a series of setbacks and disappointments that reveal the cracks in his perfect life. He discovers that his friends and neighbors are facing their own problems, such as financial difficulties and marital strife. These revelations challenge Neddy's belief in the American Dream and highlight the fragility of success and happiness.
A third theme in "The Swimmer" is the role of memory in shaping our identity and understanding of the world. Neddy's journey through the pools is a journey through his own past and the memories of his youth. He reflects on the good times he has had with his friends and family and the moments of happiness and joy that have shaped his life. However, he also confronts the darker memories and secrets that he has tried to forget, such as his infidelity and the death of his daughter. These memories challenge Neddy's sense of self and force him to confront the reality of his life.
In conclusion, "The Swimmer" is a powerful and thought-provoking story that explores themes of loss, the decline of the American Dream, and the role of memory in shaping our understanding of the world. Through the character of Neddy Merrill, Cheever explores the universal human experience of grappling with the passage of time and the complex, often difficult, relationships we have with ourselves and others.
Literature Essay on The Swimmer by John Cheever
. But as his journey moves along, things take a dark turn. Leaves are falling and the cold in the air enters his bones. Somehow, when the rain subsides, Neddy notices that the storm had striped of a tree of its yellow and red leaves scattering them over the grass and water Cheever 204. He emerges possessed by a reverie of omnipotence. Such ignorance often leads a person to feel helpless, angry, confused, and resentful.
Next
The Swimmer “The Swimmer” (II) Summary and Analysis
The Swimmer is one of the collections written by John Cheever and appears in the book collection named The Brigadier and the Golf Widow, it is one of the best short stories written by this author. This helps to establish many emotions within the essay because when the canyon becomes damaged, and when the dam gets built the audience can feel hurt and empathize with Glen Canyon. These two interpretations exist side-by-side in "The Swimmer" without resolution. Neddy lived in an affluent community indicated by numerous swimming pools in the neighborhood. John Cheever addresses this issue in one of his most noted works, "The Summer".
Next
The Swimmer Analysis
This allegorical meaning is further construed to do with the inevitability of time as evidenced in aging, physical decline, the hypocrisy of the upper class and the cycle of life. The pools turn murky, and so do his experiences. Viewed from this moment, Neddy's disdain of the public pool can be interpreted as a willful denial of the similarity of their circumstances. Accordingly, the world of Neddy as he appears at the beginning of the story is characterized to affluence as exactly as it was during the post war era. Of course, the overall themes are fear and overcoming fear, but also themes such as unhappiness and maybe even the female role as the weak gender comes to show as possible themes, however these are somewhat out of focus and thereby not central themes. Neddy concentrates about swimming and forgets about everything as regards life-his family, friends and other possessions.
Next
Free «Literary Analysis: "The Cuban Swimmer"» Essay Sample in the Category Analysis at webapi.bu.edu
Not everyone enjoys being afraid, but there are a lot of us who really enjoy the experience. When he looks into the house it is empty, and the story ends on a climactic high. Neddy also allows his good mood to project onto every situation he encounters, even attributing joy to a distant plane. Apparently, after waiting for a storm to pass in a porch, Neddy begins feeling disillusioned and tired with the whole idea of swimming. The story under analysis shows an emotional state of the main character, Neddy Merrill, his inner changes and peculiarities of interaction with other people. The story is probably set in Westchester County, a suburban in New York City, since the author once lived there.
Next
“The Swimmer” Literary Analysis FINAL
Eventually, the facts catch up with us and we are thrown into a world of chaos. All of them are in a drunken stupor, and they are still drinking. As Neddy lists all the neighbors whose pools he plans to cross, the repetition of last names is both bewildering and monotonous. The narration resonates well with Cheever, who was once an alcoholic. The bartender serves him rudely, and he overhears a remark from Grace about someone who went broke overnight and turned up drunk asking for a loan of five thousand dollars.
Next
"The Swimmer" by John Cheever: Summary and Analysis
Despair and emptiness dwell on the sunny facade of suburbia. The cause… Essays, 301 words Good education has already become one of the biggest life advantages. He is confronted with harsh rules, dictating that swimmers must shower before using the pool; they must use the footpath; they must wear an identification disk. Several natural elements clash with artificial ones as Neddy anticipates the storm. This quotation, which appears in the third paragraph of the story, reveals the rosy, self-satisfied view Neddy has of himself and his world. In this reading, Neddy functions as a kind of suburban Rip Van Winkle, asleep and unwilling to listen to his errors until it is too late. He was also awarded the National Medal for Literature by the American Academy of Arts and Letters on April 27, 1982, and his work has been included in the Library of America.
Next
Analysis of John Cheever’s The Swimmer
Similarly, as he traverses from one swimming pool to the other, it is evident that Neddy is enjoying good temperature both inside the water and when out of the water. However, the kind of friends and trend displayed by an individual determines where one is worth of assistance. All the garage doors are locked and rusty, and the storm has knocked one of the rain gutters loose. He is even treated badly by the bartender and realizes that his social standing must have fallen because that treatment by a barkeep is a serious offense. Levy bought for hum Japanese lanterns Cheever, 729. The pool, in this case, is symbolic; the author uses the pool to illustrate the drunken nature of the society.
Next
Literary Analysis of ‘The Swimmer’ By John webapi.bu.edu
These are friends and he takes it for granted that no one will mind, and he imagines that he will have the journey of an explorer, much like those swimming the English Channel. Despite being middle aged, Neddy still wants to retain his youth which is evidenced in his attitude. The idea that Neddy develops on his mind to swim home is one of many other similar ideas that he has formulated over time. After being mocked at and ridiculed by the passers-by, he eventually crosses over and heads into the public pool. The rain pours down, and Neddy asks himself why he loves storms so much. This is a turning point because discrepancies in the facts seem to emerge. He is also too weak to abide by social convention, as he abandons the crawl as his stroke of choice, preferring an easier one.
Next
Literary Devices In The Swimmer
The journey that Neddy is leading is advancing at a quick pace than he can imagine. The setting and the plot of the play are very symbolic concerning the Cuban nation and the events that took place during the 1980s. People who were once friends and lovers have now left his side. Nevertheless, sometimes fear can also be what drives us to cross our own boundary and do what we long to do. Like the often-childish heroes celebrated by archaic cultures, Neddy is headstrong and impulsive.
Next