|
|
This is only a preview of the paper
Click here to register and get the full text.
Existing members click here to login
|
|
|
“He might have been compared to a summer’s day, particularly the last hours of one, and while he lacked a tennis racket or a sail bag the impression was defiantly one of youth, sport, and clement weather. He had been swimming…” (2365). It is from this excerpt that foreshadows John Cheever’s, The Swimmer, and what is to unravel in the story about Neddy Merrill, who attempts to escape reality through denial. Ironically his method of escape leads to his ultimate breakdown, bringing Neddy back to a harsh truth that is his life. The story ambles through the decline of Neddy’s social status, his alcohol abuse, and his ever-growing weakness as he attempts to swim across the county. Throughout The Swimmer, Neddy’s social status visibly depletes as his journey across the county by way of The Lucinda (a stream of pools that Neddy deems The Lucinda after his wife) unfolds. It can be assumed that Neddy Merrill had a high social standing and a high rank within his class. In the beginning he is still portrayed as being accepted by fellow members of his high standings in his county, “Mrs. Graham said, "what a marvelous surprise. I've been trying to get you on the phone all morning. Here, let me get you a drink." He saw then, like any explorer, that the hospitable customs and traditions of the natives would have to be handled with diplomacy if he was ever going to reach his destination” (2366). From this quote Neddy can still be seen as a respected and ‘normal’ neighbor but on the other hand it could be said that Mrs. Graham is attempting to be polite or sensitive to Neddy’s faltering status, this quote also Skelly 2 provides foreshadowing into Neddy’s drinking problems. As Neddy makes his way down the ‘stream’ his status falls faster and faster with his travels.
Approximate Word count = 1220
Approximate Pages = 4.9
(250 words per page double spaced)
|
|
|
|
|
|