This analytical essay is about the criticism essay “Perverted Sacraments,” written by Hal Blythe and John Cheever’s “The Swimmer”. The title of this article “Perverted Sacraments” is very interesting in its word choice. Perverted means (of a person or their actions) characterized by sexually abnormal and unacceptable practices or tendencies. Sacrament means a religious ceremony or act of the Christian Church that is regarded as an outward and visible sign of inward and spiritual divine grace, in particular. “Perverted Sacraments” gives a good view of Hal Blythe’s interpretation of “The Swimmer”. Blythe has chosen three main points that stood out to him in “The Swimmer.” “The ironic use of three holy sacraments, the Eucharist, baptism, and
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Baptism means being immersed in water, symbolizing purification or regeneration and admission to the Christian Church. As stated before, Ned Merrill decides to swim through all of the pools on his way home which he calls the “Lucida River”. “This eight-mile journey from the Westerhazys’ to his house involves an immersion into his neighbors’ pools, the sacred worship sites for suburban hedonism” (Blythe 394). On his way home, Ned becomes tired and drinks more and more with his neighbors. This could be a disadvantage because he starts slowing down as he is swimming through the pools. “Neddy’s baptism is futile. Instead of spiritual regeneration, he progressively degenerates; his perception of the physical world grows dimmer (as does the day), he loses his memory, and his physical strength wanes” (Blythe 394). A huge disadvantage is that Neddy is losing his memory. Neddy starts to feel the cooler air as he is swimming through the pools. “On he went, barefoot through the wet grass, to the Welchers’ where he found their pool was dry” (Cheever 2366). He thought to himself that maybe they were gone during the summer so they probably drained their pool. Then he noticed that their pool furniture was folded up, covered, and stacked in the corner. “And his external weakness reflects his inner degeneration. He cries-not only the selfless tears of Christ for others, but the selfish weeping for his personal loss and perhaps out of frustration at his own inability to understand what has happened” (Blythe
Baptism means being immersed in water, symbolizing purification or regeneration and admission to the Christian Church. As stated before, Ned Merrill decides to swim through all of the pools on his way home which he calls the “Lucida River”. “This eight-mile journey from the Westerhazys’ to his house involves an immersion into his neighbors’ pools, the sacred worship sites for suburban hedonism” (Blythe 394). On his way home, Ned becomes tired and drinks more and more with his neighbors. This could be a disadvantage because he starts slowing down as he is swimming through the pools. “Neddy’s baptism is futile. Instead of spiritual regeneration, he progressively degenerates; his perception of the physical world grows dimmer (as does the day), he loses his memory, and his physical strength wanes” (Blythe 394). A huge disadvantage is that Neddy is losing his memory. Neddy starts to feel the cooler air as he is swimming through the pools. “On he went, barefoot through the wet grass, to the Welchers’ where he found their pool was dry” (Cheever 2366). He thought to himself that maybe they were gone during the summer so they probably drained their pool. Then he noticed that their pool furniture was folded up, covered, and stacked in the corner. “And his external weakness reflects his inner degeneration. He cries-not only the selfless tears of Christ for others, but the selfish weeping for his personal loss and perhaps out of frustration at his own inability to understand what has happened” (Blythe