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The Swimmer by John Cheever: Comprehensive Study Guide & Analysis

John Cheever’s 'The Swimmer' is a quintessential piece of American short fiction that explores the hidden depths of suburban life and the passage of time. While many students seek out a SparkNotes summary for a quick overview, a more nuanced analysis is required to truly understand the story's shift from realism to surrealism.

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Plot Overview: The Journey Across the Lucinda River

The story follows Neddy Merrill, a wealthy and athletic socialite who decides to 'swim' home through the various backyard pools of his affluent neighborhood. He names this string of pools the 'Lucinda River' after his wife. Initially, the journey feels like a triumphant adventure filled with cocktails and friendly neighbors. However, as Neddy progresses, the atmosphere shifts. The weather turns cold, neighbors become hostile or pitying, and Neddy grows physically weak, suggesting that much more time has passed than a single afternoon.

Key Themes: Denial and the American Dream

Denial is the central theme of the story. Neddy uses his physical vigor and social status as a shield against the reality of his financial and social collapse. The narrative serves as a critique of the mid-century American Dream, illustrating how easily the veneer of prosperity can vanish. Cheever explores how Neddy’s obsession with his past self prevents him from acknowledging his current misery, leading to a tragic realization at his journey's end.

Symbolism: Water and the Seasons

Water represents both a medium for Neddy's perceived rebirth and a reflection of his true state. Early in the story, the pools are refreshing and clear, but they become stagnant or crowded as he moves forward. The changing seasons are equally symbolic; the story begins in mid-summer but concludes in what appears to be autumn or early winter. This temporal shift mirrors Neddy’s aging and the inevitable loss of his youthful vitality and social standing.

Study Tips for Essays and Discussions

When preparing for an exam or essay on 'The Swimmer,' focus on the narrative perspective. Consider how the narrator’s tone changes from celebratory to somber. For class discussions, compare Neddy's initial confidence with his final vulnerability. If you are writing a paper, track specific indicators of the passage of time, such as the appearance of the constellations or the changing color of the leaves, to argue whether the journey is literal or a psychological metaphor.

What happens at the end of The Swimmer?

At the end of the story, Neddy reaches his home only to find it dark, empty, and locked. The realization hits him that his family is gone and his social standing has completely evaporated, leaving him alone in the cold.

Why does the weather change so quickly in the story?

The rapid change in weather represents the passage of years rather than hours. It highlights Neddy's state of denial, showing that while he believes he is on a one-day adventure, he has actually lost years of his life to a mental or social decline.

Is Neddy Merrill a reliable narrator?

The story is told through a third-person limited perspective that stays close to Neddy’s thoughts. Because Neddy is in deep denial about his life, the 'reality' he perceives is often contradicted by the reactions of other characters, making his perspective highly unreliable.

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