The Swimmer by John Cheever - Assignment Example

The Swimmer Analyze a story in which a character experiences some realization or revelation. How does the writer prepare us for the moment of enlightenment? What is the nature of each revelation or realization? How does it affect the character? The Swimmer by John Cheever is a short story that runs around the life of Neddy Merrill and his path of self denial that he chooses for himself. Neddy Merrill chooses a journey for himself that he would swim to his home across all the pools in his community. The story moves ahead along with his journey where he swims in different pools. This results in the passage of a very long time and Neddy tends to lose track of all time. It is then realized that Neddy is actually denying the cruel realities of his life and he is running away from all the problems of his life. He has opted for swimming as a shelter to hide from the truth of his life and to hide from all the losses that he has experienced. The story takes a turn and it is realized that Neddy is actually in a state of self denial. It is only when the story ends that he experiences realization when he finds his house empty and understands that he has suffered great losses in his life. Thus, the Swimmer follows an interesting theme where it is seen that Neddy Merrill stays in state of denying the facts of his life but he eventually gains his state of realization and realizes the fact that he has experienced major losses in his life. The story begins on the aspect of Neddy Merrill’s life where he is drinking at a friend’s party and eventually decides to actually swim across to his house. Neddy is not very young and is a middle aged man but he still believes that he possesses the strength and the power of a young man. This is the first point which provides for Neddy denial of the realities of life. He starts his journey of swimming from the swimming pool of the party where he is drinking. He then moves from one pool to another which is present in his community. He enters people’s houses to swim in their pools and remains very dedicated towards his journey. It is seen initially in the story that he is warmly welcomed in the houses of the people where he goes. The people tend to give him very warm and pleasant responses and offer him drinks and wish to chat with him. But it is seen that Neddy is more devoted towards his task of swimming than towards his companions. But a change is then observed and it is seen that Neddy is no longer a welcomed guest by the people of his community. People who wanted to spend time with him are no longer even willing to see him in their houses. The other people that he comes across from then onwards presents the facts that Neddy has lost most of his wealth and he had to send his children away. He is indebted by many people including his mistress. Neddy keeps on denying all this but it is towards the end that he acquires his senses again and realizes of all the losses that he has experienced in his life. John Cheever has written the story in a very organized manner and he explains the stages in the life of Neddy Merrill in a very organized fashion. He begins with the explanation of Neddy’s denial at the very beginning of the story when he presents that Neddy considers himself to be young despite of the fact that he is above that part of his age. Cheever then presents the explanation of Neddy Merrills position in the community where he is welcomed by all of his fellows. "Why, Neddy," Mrs. Graham said, "what a marvelous surprise. Ive been trying to get you on the phone all morning. Here, let me get you a drink." These lines explain the warm welcome that was given to him by his friends. Cheever then explains of Merrill’s journey that it was a very long journey that left Neddy tired and exhausted. Cheever then explains that he continues with this tedious journey over a very long period of time. To present the change of time, he uses the seasons and the weather to denote that. The falling leaves denote autumn and the burning of the wood for fire explain the fact that winter has arrived. But Merrill’s lack of understanding of the passage of time denotes the fact that he has lost his state of realization. Cheever starts preparing the reader for realization when he starts presenting the dark side of Merrill’s life. He begins with the presentation of the “for sale” sign at the house of the Levy’s. The Levy’s were Merrill’s acquaintances. This denotes the fact that much time has passed since Merrill began his journey and Merrill seems to be unaware of this happening which denotes the fact that he has lost track of his surroundings. The next and the most important incident in the story presented by Cheever is that at the house of the Hallorans where Mrs. Halloran expresses her sympathy to Merrill for the losses that he suffered. Merrill responds by saying "My misfortunes?" Ned asked. "I dont know what you mean." This response provides a clear understanding that he does not want to face the truth and denies the happenings of his life. The writer then portrays the happenings in the life of Neddy’s friend Eric. Neddy is informed by Eric’s wife that Eric had undergone a surgery about three years back. Neddy is totally unaware of it. The specification of three years is used by Cheever to imply of the fact that Merrill has acquired a state of denying the things that have been happening around him since a very long time. Cheever then moves ahead to explaining the response of the society towards Merrill. He is an unwelcomed guest at a party thrown by Biswanger’s. The writer explains that the Biswangers used to long for Neddy’s presence but their untoward behavior towards Merrill upheld the fact that there had been a serious change of events and that Merrill had lost his strong position in the society. Cheever then writes about Merrill’s mistress first explaining the fact that it was Merrill who had left her during the initial days before he started swimming. But later when he goes to her house, she is very rude to him and inquires if he is there to take money again. This presents the fact that Neddy has become financially weak and his position has been so low that he even had to go to his mistress for borrowing money. Neddy starts recollecting these things but his state of denial prevents him from reaching to a conclusion. It is only in the end when he goes to his house that he faces the harsh realities of life. He regains his realization and breaks down after finding his house empty and rusty. The occurrences after Neddy’s initial journey which include his encounters with his mistress, Eric, the Hallorans and Biswanger’s leave him in a confused state. He feels that he does not remember that what is actually going on. He gets moved by the disrespect that is shown towards him at the party at the Biswanger’s house. The meeting with his friend Eric and the Hallorans places him in thought. He starts realizing his ignorance. This can be seen when he thinks, “Was he losing his memory, had his gift for concealing painful facts let him forget that he had sold his house, that his children were in trouble, and that his friend had been ill?” Thus, these happenings have an impact on him but his final gain of consciousness occurs after he visits his house and finds it empty. References Top of Form Cheever, John. The Brigadier and the Golf Widow. New York: Harper & Row, 1964. Print. Bottom of Form Read More