What makes a story great? According to many, it all depends on characterisation and keeping the plot originally fascinating. There are also various integrals that help support these aspects of a “great story” which are thoroughly arranged in The Swimmer and Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? The first story listed is by John Cheever and tells the tale of a man journeying to retain his youth, but in the end, loses more than he realises. Ironically enough, this is similar to what the protagonist in Joyce Carol Oates’ Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? experiences. Both leading characters have an established goal yet never quite reach it. Imagery and symbolism are used to adeptly express this throughout each piece which creates an
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At the beginning of the story, Cheever establishes that it is summer: ““It was one of those midsummer Sundays when everyone sits around saying, “I drank too much last night.” (23). As it progresses, inklings of such quickly changing seasons clarify when Neddy notices that the wind has “stripped a maple of its red and yellow leaves” (27-28). An anomaly such as this presumes that there is something not quite right in the chronological order of Neddy’s expedition. Cheever later confirms this: “The worst of it was the cold in his bones and the feeling that he might never be warm again. Leaves were falling down around him and he smelled wood smoke on the wind. Who would be burning wood at this time of year?” (31). These pieces play a subtle yet symbolic role which also relates to the foreshadowing in The Swimmer. It is giving the impression of chronological …show more content…
This is, however, more prevalent in Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? considering that the protagonist is a teenager despite Neddy’s intentions to maintain his youth. In The Swimmer, pools give off a nonchalant vibe that relates to the calm and flowing aging process that Neddy is seemingly going through. But, as pools can become dry and forgotten, so can one’s mind or at least their perception of reality can become impaired. The languor of summer has its effects in Connie’s universe as well, producing the same leisurely mood that it does in the beginning of The
At the beginning of the story, Cheever establishes that it is summer: ““It was one of those midsummer Sundays when everyone sits around saying, “I drank too much last night.” (23). As it progresses, inklings of such quickly changing seasons clarify when Neddy notices that the wind has “stripped a maple of its red and yellow leaves” (27-28). An anomaly such as this presumes that there is something not quite right in the chronological order of Neddy’s expedition. Cheever later confirms this: “The worst of it was the cold in his bones and the feeling that he might never be warm again. Leaves were falling down around him and he smelled wood smoke on the wind. Who would be burning wood at this time of year?” (31). These pieces play a subtle yet symbolic role which also relates to the foreshadowing in The Swimmer. It is giving the impression of chronological …show more content…
This is, however, more prevalent in Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? considering that the protagonist is a teenager despite Neddy’s intentions to maintain his youth. In The Swimmer, pools give off a nonchalant vibe that relates to the calm and flowing aging process that Neddy is seemingly going through. But, as pools can become dry and forgotten, so can one’s mind or at least their perception of reality can become impaired. The languor of summer has its effects in Connie’s universe as well, producing the same leisurely mood that it does in the beginning of The