In most literary works, journey is commonly conceived as a way of escaping from the harsh reality. However, in the Swimmer, Neddy Merrill’s journey in the swimming pool leads him to back to the reality by resembling the process of his life. If readers continue to neglect this distinctive characteristic of Neddy’s voyage, they will not be able to comprehend the transitions of mood made in the story. Therefore, this short paper aims to illustrate how the protagonist’s journey of swimming holds metaphor for his own life and leads him to encounter the tough reality.
At a first glance, the voyage of the protagonist seems to be pleasant and cheerful. The reading mentions that Neddy himself was “pleased with everything” and the day was beautiful