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The Swimmer Symbolism

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John Cheever’s short story “The Swimmer" starts with the protagonist, Neddy, deciding to swim home. As the story continues, Neddy’s surroundings are altered almost magically. His memory becomes unclear when his neighbors begin to tell him that his material wealth is lost. Yet, he is still determined to finish this difficult and pointless journey which consumes all of his energy. Cheever shows his readers a symbolic exploration of American suburbia and the harsh reality of the American Dream. The swimming journey of Neddy is a symbol of the life of a person who desires the American Dream. The story portrays how people madly pursue ridiculous and unnecessary things starting when Neddy chooses to swim home instead of easily going home with his wife. Neddy has the feeling of “a pilgrim, an explorer, a man with a destiny, and he knew that he would find friends all …show more content…
When Neddy swims to the Sachses’, he learns his friend Eric has been ill. He feels a sudden rush of confusion when he begins to ask himself if he is losing his memory, but he is so caught up with himself that he never truly got personal with Eric. This symbolizes how people pursue the American Dream as individuals and keep a surface connection with people. After, Neddy goes to the Biswangers’ and hears “the sounds of revelry” with assurance that “they would be honored to give him a drink.” Yet, he is rudely greeted because he consistently rejects dinner invitations from them. The narrator goes on to explain how the Biswangers’ invitations are sent out to Neddy four times a year six weeks in advance. This is stated because it shows how Neddy is aware of this persistence, yet he still chooses not to go because “they did not belong to Neddy’s set.” He makes a habit of rejecting invitations, but the tables turn when he gets rejected at the end. The path of the American Dream is for the self-absorbed, but the treacherous road leaves one

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