Who is the main character in The Swimmer by John Cheever?
Neddy Merrill
Neddy Merrill The protagonist, who decides to go home from his friends’ house by swimming through all the pools in his neighborhood. Neddy and his wife, Lucinda, enjoy a high social standing in their affluent neighborhood.
What is the moral of the story The Swimmer by John Cheever?
“The Swimmer” has as its primary theme the power of the mind to deny unpleasant truths, or, to put it more positively, the determination of the ego to preserve itself in the face of events that might erode or obliterate one’s self-confidence.
Who is the narrator in The Swimmer?
The author presents the story in third-person point of view with a narrator who reveals the thoughts of the main character, Neddy Merrill.
What does the pool symbolize in The Swimmer?
The pools that Neddy swims through as he makes his way home represent periods of time that Neddy passes through. At the beginning of the story, Neddy is strong and active, feels deep contentment with his life, and is admired by his friends.
What kind of character is Neddy in the swimmer?
athletic man
Neddy Merrill Character Analysis. Neddy, the story’s protagonist, is an athletic man, probably in his 30s or 40s, who lives in an unnamed suburb. At the beginning of the story, Neddy lives a comfortable, prosperous life with his wife Lucinda and his four daughters.
Is Neddy Merrill a hero?
In John Cheever’s “The Swimmer”, Neddy is not a traditional hero who is concerned and caring. Instead, he is classified as an antihero–a relatable figure in default of crucial heroic qualities. Neddy’s decision of swimming home is merely due to his self-interest and not a moral motivation.
What does Neddy Merrill’s journey represent in the story?
Neddy’s journey, if examined through a symbolic lens, represents a significant period of passing time in which important events of Neddy’s life are ignored and the overall reality of his life is suppressed. The journey starts off smoothly one summer afternoon, with Neddy being well received by his neighbors.
What is the POV of the swimmer by John Cheever?
“The Swimmer” is an allegory that is narrated in third person point of view as someone who is observing Neddy’s journey.
Why does Neddy cry in the swimmer?
Neddy starts crying for the first time since childhood, feeling cold and confused. He thinks that he has just been swimming too long and needs a drink and dry clothes. He swims weakly across a few more pools.
How would Neddy define his American dream?
Slabey points out that Neddy is in many ways a physical manifestation of the supposed American Dream when he writes, “Neddy is the depthless dreamer and organization man, but he also acts out the frontier myth of exploration, independence, endurance, and self-reliance” (184).
What symbols can be found in John Cheever’s The Swimmer?
In the short story “ The Swimmer,” John Cheever expresses the idea that Neddy Merrill can lose everything if he denies reality. Cheever achieves this by employing various symbols during Merrill’s cross county journey. The main symbols are the weather and seasons.
What is John Cheever’s most noted work?
John Cheever addresses this issue in one of his most noted works, “The Summer”. This article gives you its summary and analysis. “The Swimmer” was remade into a movie of the same name in 1968, starring Burt Lancaster as Neddy Merrill.
What is the summary of the swimmer by John Cheever?
John Cheever’s “The Swimmer” is a short story based on one such man, who had all the affluence and respect he wanted from society, but instead of valuing it, he squandered it away in a manner that led him to lose his family, his friendships, and eventually – a part of himself.
What is “the swimmer” about?
It is the portrait of the lives of people in post World War II suburban America, and the lifestyles and experiences of people during that time. This Penlighten article brings you the literary analysis of “The Swimmer”, along with its summary.
What is the summer by John Cheever all about?
Growing older is one of the hardest challenges we face in life, and if that obstacle is dealt with in a rash manner, and without much thought it can lead to feelings of helplessness, denial, confusion, and resentment. John Cheever addresses this issue in one of his most noted works, “The Summer”. This article gives you its summary and analysis.