In John Cheever’s short story, “The Swimmer”, the author presents several minor themes– each linked to one another. Some of these themes: social status, money, and love, pave the way for the development of the major themes. During Neddy’s journey along the Lucinda River, his encounters with his neighbours coupled with his repressed memories develop the major themes of the short story. Towards the end, as Neddy’s blocked memories progressively become a reality, the central themes – repression and deterioration– are fully understood. The development of the central themes start as soon as Neddy energetically begins his voyage from pool to pool. In the beaming sun, he greets his fellow neighbours and enjoys a drink with them. The author reflects
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Firstly, unlike the previous encounters, nobody is home at the Levys’ residence. This irregularity, coupled with the incoming storm that causes Neddy to seek refuge in the Levys’ gazebo, symbolises a change. As the story develops, this change is seen through Neddy’s interactions and swimming performance. On Neddy’s way to the Welchers’ pool, he finds that the Lindleys’ horse-riding area is overgrown, making him think that they might have gone away for the summer. When he finally reaches the Welchers’ pool, he finds that it is empty. The significance of this development is huge; not only does this tamper with his objective of swimming across each pool in the neighborhood, but it also questions his memory. This is the first major development in the central themes of repression and …show more content…
If Neddy had suffered any injuries at the Biswangers’, they would have been cured here. “They had had an affair last week, last month, last year. He couldn’t remember” (391), however Neddy knew that love is what he needed in order to continue his journey. When he arrived, however, he was greeted by an angry Shirley Adams; “If you’ve come here for money, I won’t give you another cent” (391). When Neddy calmly asks her for a drink, Shirley tells him that she could, but she won’t because she is not alone. As he leaves Shirley’s residence, the author develops Neddy’s deterioration mainly through his swimming performance. Unlike the beginning of his voyage, he now has trouble getting in and out of pools and must use the ladder. Additionally, as he walks away, he smells fall flowers and sees fall constellations in the sky. The author’s implementation of changing seasons reflects Neddy’s change in attitude and
Firstly, unlike the previous encounters, nobody is home at the Levys’ residence. This irregularity, coupled with the incoming storm that causes Neddy to seek refuge in the Levys’ gazebo, symbolises a change. As the story develops, this change is seen through Neddy’s interactions and swimming performance. On Neddy’s way to the Welchers’ pool, he finds that the Lindleys’ horse-riding area is overgrown, making him think that they might have gone away for the summer. When he finally reaches the Welchers’ pool, he finds that it is empty. The significance of this development is huge; not only does this tamper with his objective of swimming across each pool in the neighborhood, but it also questions his memory. This is the first major development in the central themes of repression and …show more content…
If Neddy had suffered any injuries at the Biswangers’, they would have been cured here. “They had had an affair last week, last month, last year. He couldn’t remember” (391), however Neddy knew that love is what he needed in order to continue his journey. When he arrived, however, he was greeted by an angry Shirley Adams; “If you’ve come here for money, I won’t give you another cent” (391). When Neddy calmly asks her for a drink, Shirley tells him that she could, but she won’t because she is not alone. As he leaves Shirley’s residence, the author develops Neddy’s deterioration mainly through his swimming performance. Unlike the beginning of his voyage, he now has trouble getting in and out of pools and must use the ladder. Additionally, as he walks away, he smells fall flowers and sees fall constellations in the sky. The author’s implementation of changing seasons reflects Neddy’s change in attitude and