Course Hero. However, the second half of the journey goes less well. Only at the very end of the text, in the last line, does he realize the house itself is completely empty. He considers returning to the Westerhazys, but finds rather to his surprise that he feels unable to return. He puts his trunks back on and notices they seem loose. Suduiko, Aaron ed. Masculinity and Queerness in John Cheever's Fiction, Parallels in John Cheever's "The Swimmer", The Inevitable Passage of Time in "The Swimmer", Intersection of Truth and Lies in "The Swimmer", Differences between the film plot and original story. Rothstein, Talia. He even perceives rebuff at the hands of a bartender working at one of the parties through which he passes. As this calm cloud bank develops into a thunderstorm, sending Neddy to shelter in the Levys' gazebo, it again references The Odyssey. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Swimmer by John Cheever. One couple, who happen to believe in nude sunbathing, offer sympathy for his recent misfortunes—yet Ned has no sense of what they mean. He expects to be welcomed warmly and given a drink, even though he has often snubbed the Biswangers' invitations.
Neddy hears thunderclap; the weather cools. As Neddy navigates the string of swimming pools, it becomes evident that they symbolize stages of his life. The story is based on the 1964 short story "The Swimmer" by John Cheever, which appeared in the July 18, 1964, issue of The New Yorker. At first Ned’s trip goes well. Are the events of the afternoon reality, or has he been dreaming? He imagines himself as an explorer who will be welcomed by friends throughout his voyage. In his swimming trunks Neddy looks like the victim of a practical joke. Then, as he travels from yard to yard, old friends and neighbors make strange remarks to him. 1 As he ages during the afternoon's journey, he no longer feels or looks youthful, and goes from diving into his reflection to feebly entering the pools by way of the steps. Passers-by jeer at him, and he considers heading back to the comfort of the Westerhazys' home but feels compelled to complete his task. resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel. Neddy shouts and pounds at the door and tries to force it open. Already a member? There Enid Bunker joyfully welcomes Neddy. He wants a drink to revive his spirits. Save this story for later. At first he thinks the cook or maid locked the house by mistake, but then he remembers he no longer employs these servants. Neddy has no memory of selling his home and believes his children are presently living there. In an affluent suburb Donald and Helen Westerhazy and their guest Lucinda Merrill sit around the Westerhazy's pool and bemoan the fact that they drank too much the night before. His former mistress, who cried when he broke off their affair, now scorns him. Once Neddy decides he is an explorer who must set out on an adventure across the county, Cheever introduces elements of surrealism. Because it is midsummer, Neddy figures the maple's leaves have turned color early because the tree is blighted. He swims in their pool and, as he pulls himself out, hears Mrs. Halloran say, "We've been terribly sorry to hear about all your misfortunes, Neddy." Suggest a Title. As Ned begins his journey, Cheever establishes the social context of a typical Sunday in Bullet Park.
He names his route the Lucinda River in honor of his wife. In the human mind it is often expressed with fear, amazement, longing and might even love. At several houses he accepts drinks. He finds this pool has been drained, however, which severely disappoints him. Feeling miserable and tired, Neddy cries for the first time as an adult. Neddy swims the pool and leaves. Exhausted, Neddy struggles through the last two pools. Other Resources. Finally he reaches his home. "The Swimmer Study Guide." As he notices Eric's surgery scars, he can't comprehend how he could have forgotten his friend's operation.