The Swimmer

5 Pages 1332 Words

In the short story, The Swimmer, John Cheever employs water as a symbol for passing time and as a representation of escapism from life’s hardships. Cheever’s main character, Ned Merrill, swims across the county via his neighborhood swimming pools. The journey Ned takes is later recognized as a result of denial of what has happened to him and an attempt to keep his memory repressed.
As the reader begins to gain a perspective on Ned’s character, he or she may be tempted to question his sanity. However, Cheever establishes Ned more as a carefree and impulsive individual. Ned’s “inexplicable contempt for men who did not hurl themselves into pools,” as well as his initial desire “to swim without trunks” are perfect demonstrations of his heedlessness. (Charters, p. 151) This aspect of Ned’s personality is important when trying to understand the reasoning behind Ned’s journey in the first place.
When one uses the expression “things are going swimmingly,” he or she is indicating an ease of mind and an absence of tribulation. Cheever uses this idea to set a light-hearted tone to his story at first. Ned’s description of the waters of the first few swims indicates clarity. The “bonny and lush banks,” as well as the “sapphire-colored waters” is a well-painted picture of peacefulness indicating that Ned too, is at ease. (Charters, p. 152) Ned’s anticipation of meeting with friends along his swimming voyage prepares the reader for a quirky, fun-filled adventure. Indeed, his first few encounters with friends are pleasant. The Grahams receive him hospitably and the Bunkers express delight in his appearance at their party. (Charters, p. 151-152) However, as the story progresses, it becomes evident that Ned’s life is anything but carefree.
The tone of the story gradually changes from roguish pool frolicking to brooding awareness of Ned’s plight. Cheever marks the transition very conspicuously. A ...