The Swimmer

archetype that stories seem to follow. This framework is called the Hero's Journey. Elements of his theory are evident in The Swimmer, a short story written by John Cheever about the journey that Neddy Merrill takes to find his way back home. Campbell was studying myths when he came up with the theory, but it is applicable to most, if not all narratives today. The Swimmer is a short story where we see the protagonist, Neddy Merrill, go through the Hero's Journey. Campbell’s theory suggests that

Out of his depth In the short allegory, ‘The Swimmer’ (1968), John Cheever explores the grandeur of the title character, Ned Merrill, a posh middle-aged man on the brink of alcoholism who lives in a world devoid of spiritual meaning and filled with materialism. Throughout the story, Ned’s path or more aptly put, his seeming journey of self, pool by pool, is one that is indubitably complex – it resonates with the concept of uprooting himself from a semblance of idealized ‘reality’ that he created

The purpose of this essay is to analyze the short story “The Swimmer” by Jon Cheever and it’s film adaptation. Overall, the film and the short story use different dialogue, different characterization, and different visual effects and imagery to provide the reader and the viewer with the allegory of Ned Merrill’s life. While both works focus on the fanciful nature of moving across an entire neighborhood using swimming pools, there are more differences between the film and short story than similarities

The Swimmer The Swimmer is a John Cheever tale of a man’s blurry and unclear progression in the later years of his life. A movie was later made based on the book. The two works mirror one another in terms of: theme, symbols and elements of subplot. Although they parallel each other in most ways, the movie strays from the path that the story cleared in a few instances. The movie adds in additional information, and portrays Neddy Merrill in a different, more cynical/childish light than the story

in society; one of them being wealth. Society has different interpretations and attitudes towards an individual based on his economic status.When a person fails to uphold his existing financial position, people in society scorn or pity him. “The Swimmer” by John Cheever demonstrates this idea. The protagonist (Neddy) loses his wealth, property, and family. Because of his loss, Neddy’s friends’ views and feelings change towards him. It causes them to treat Neddy empathetically and contemptuously.

Reaching a goal faces a lot of obstacles, but overcoming them is what matters the most. “The Swimmer”, by John Cheever gives a prospective on what it’s like having to face certain obstacles and situation on his eight miles home. Neddy masked reality completely the cause of it was his drinking hobbies, but his strengths made him discover his biggest weakness.The desire that he had for swimming motivated him to meet new friends along his journey back home. The uncommon route he took on his journey

people drink alcohol, is it to feel the effects, or “cause it is cool”? These are just some reasons, but these reason have lead to major problem. The problem is alcoholism or simple misusing alcohol. This issue is present in the short story, The Swimmer by John Cheever. The protagonist, Neddy Merrill starts drinking at a party one day and he makes a goal to swim through all the pools on his way home. While he swims the happy view of his life starts to turn dark and he realizes that his happy views

“The Swimmer” is a short story about the journey of Neddy Merrill’s life. He wants to swim across the whole county, and as the story progresses we find out more about his life and the significance of alcohol in his life; which is represented through the water. Ned swims through his neighbours’ swimming pools and names the route “stream Lucinda” after his wife. Through his various interactions with his neighbours he does not necessarily choose to turn a blind eye, but is incapable of understanding

lead is untouchable. Every second, every half second has never meant more than what it does in this moment. Then you finally touch the wall, turn to the scoreboard to see you qualified for leagues as well as first in your heat. This is the life of a swimmer.

"The Swimmer," An Alcoholic Journey "The Swimmer," written by John Cheever follows the journey of the main character, Neddy Merrill and his struggles with alcoholism. Living in a wealthy community; full of golf courses, tennis courts and lots of parties, an envious lifestyle, but in the end Neddy's journey doesn't seem so desirous. Cheever uses symbolism to describe the phases of Neddy's life and reflects on how a life of alcoholism is a constant sink or swim battle. Neddy discovers the power of