John Cheever’s The Swimmer satirizes New York high society through a quirky mix of realism and surrealism. Neddy Merrill is arrogant, pretentious and narcissistic. His attempt to become recognized as a legendary adventurer by “swimming” home from a party through a summer storm symbolizes risk-taking that may have led to the loss of his wealth, respect, family and health. Along the way, he encounters others in the community: the principled Hallorens who stand up for their beliefs; the down-to-earth Biswangers he has socially shunned for not “belonging to his set”; and the loving mistress he has cruelly cast aside.
Like many of Cheever’s stories, The Swimmer’s major themes are appearance vs. reality (in this case the discord between affluence and happiness) and the myth of upper-class suburban bliss (superficiality, insincerity, alienation, emptiness). In Neddy, we see additional themes of delusion and denial (about money & aging) and hypocrisy. A final important theme is the passage of time. By the end of the story Neddy has transitioned from a self-confident socialite in the summer of his life to a broken, lonely man facing his winter years alone.
Original Text / PDF / audio (4,950 words)