A Comprehensive Guide to John Cheever's "The Swimmer": Analysis, Interpretation, and Study Questions for Students

A Study Guide for John Cheever's "Swimmer" (Short Stories for Students)

by Karen Powers

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Language	:	English
File size	:	623 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	20 pages

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John Cheever's "The Swimmer" is a masterpiece of American short fiction, renowned for its evocative prose, intricate symbolism, and profound exploration of themes such as loss, disillusionment, and the elusive nature of the American Dream.

This study guide provides a comprehensive analysis of the story, delving into its characters, themes, symbols, and narrative structure. The accompanying study questions are designed to foster critical thinking, enhance comprehension, and stimulate engaging discussions.

Character Analysis

Neddy Merrill

• Neddy Merrill is the protagonist of the story, a successful advertising executive living in an affluent suburb.
• He is initially portrayed as a charming and confident man, but as the story progresses, his true nature is revealed.
• Neddy is arrogant, self-centered, and disconnected from the world around him, epitomizing the emptiness and superficiality of American society.

Elvira Wing

• Elvira Wing is Neddy's wife who remains at home while he embarks on his journey.
• She represents the stability and domesticity that Neddy has left behind in his pursuit of leisure and pleasure.

The Pool Owners

Throughout his journey, Neddy encounters various pool owners who embody different aspects of society.

• The Hallorans represent Neddy's former friends, now estranged due to his arrogance and social climbing.
• The Leeches are a wealthy and superficial couple who mock Neddy's pretensions and expose the shallowness of his world.
• The Biswangers are a young and carefree couple who symbolize the innocence and vitality that Neddy has lost.
• The Westerhazys are an elderly couple who represent the end of the line, the ultimate destination of Neddy's journey.

Theme Analysis

The Loss of Innocence

Neddy's journey is marked by a gradual loss of innocence and the harsh realization of the world's harsh realities.

His swim through the pools mirrors a metaphorical journey from childhood to adulthood, from the carefree days of youth to the disillusionment and despair of the present.

The American Dream

Cheever critiques the myth of the American Dream through Neddy's character.

Neddy's pursuit of wealth, status, and pleasure ultimately leads to his downfall, demonstrating the emptiness and unattainability of the American ideal.

The Suburbs

The story is set in the affluent suburbs, which Cheever portrays as a microcosm of American society.

The pools that Neddy swims through symbolize the isolation, homogeneity, and conformity that characterize suburban life.

Symbolism

Water

Water is a recurring symbol throughout the story, representing both purity and corruption.

Neddy's journey through the pools is a symbolic baptism, a cleansing ritual that reveals his true self.

The House

The Westerhazys' house, the final destination of Neddy's journey, symbolizes death and decay.

It is a haunting reminder of the inevitability of time and the fragility of human life.

Narrative Structure

The story is narrated in a non-linear fashion, with the events of Neddy's journey alternating with flashbacks to his past.

This narrative technique creates a sense of disorientation and uncertainty, mirroring Neddy's own psychological state.

Study Questions

Character Analysis

• How does Neddy Merrill's character develop throughout the story?
• What are the motivations behind Neddy's journey?
• How do the pool owners that Neddy encounters contribute to his characterization?

Theme Analysis

• How does Cheever explore the theme of loss of innocence in "The Swimmer"?
• What is Cheever's critique of the American Dream in the story?
• How does the setting of the suburbs contribute to the story's themes?

Symbolism

• Explain the symbolism of water in the story.
• What does the Westerhazys' house represent?

Narrative Structure

• How does the non-linear narrative structure of the story contribute to its meaning?
• What is the significance of the flashbacks to Neddy's past?

"The Swimmer" is a timeless classic that continues to captivate readers with its insightful exploration of human nature and American society.

Through the study of this guide, students can gain a deeper understanding of the story's characters, themes, symbols, and narrative structure, enriching their appreciation of Cheever's literary genius.