The Swimmer

John Cheever emphasizes Neddy Merrill’s alienation from his suburban surroundings through story structure, characterization, and connotation in “The Swimmer.” The narrative’s third-person limited perspective and elements of Surrealism emphasize the protagonist’s sense of disconnection from events. As Neddy begins to question his reality, he can only do so through repeated rhetorical questions:

When had he last heard from the Welchers […]? […] Was his memory failing or had he so disciplined it in the repression of unpleasant facts that he had damaged his sense of the truth? […] Why was he determined to complete his journey even if it meant putting his life in danger? (Paragraphs 11, 12).

Neddy’s uncertainty creeps into other facets of the narration. For example, when attempting to put the timeline of his journey in order, he thinks, “In the space of an hour, more or less, he had covered a distance that made his return impossible” (Paragraph 11). The reader experiences the distorted passage of time from Neddy’s point of view, noting the dissonances without understanding them.

Neddy’s alienation from his community and family members is emphasized through his interactions. Cheever often utilizes indirect quotes to convey the substance of conversations between Neddy and others without committing to the precise dialogue. For example, as he leaves the Westerhazys’ yard, and “Lucinda asked where he was going he said he was going to swim home” (4). By paraphrasing these conversations, the author implies that communication between the characters is largely meaningless and inconsequential. The beginning of the story also suggests a geographical and emotional distance from his “four beautiful daughters,” as Neddy imagines “they might be playing tennis” eight miles away (2). The idyllic vision of his daughters implies that Neddy prefers to idealize them from afar rather than interact with them in the flesh. The same principle applies to his wife, to whom he mentally dedicates his imaginary “river” before abruptly leaving her at the Westerhazys. The fact that Lucinda asks where he is going implies that Neddy did not even intend to tell her of his plan.

Cheever utilizes connotation to reinforce the idea of alienation and disconnect in Neddy’s life. As “The Swimmer” reaches its conclusion, and Neddy finds his neighbors either hostile or absent, the adjectives describing his surroundings become darker, both literally and figuratively. The water of the pools turns “dark” and “depress[ing]” (Paragraph 25), foreshadowing the darkness he will encounter when he reaches his empty home. The water of the Sachses’ pool is cold, mirroring the transition from summer to autumn and also the emotional coldness he encounters on his journey. Finally, when reaching home, the realization that the house is abandoned further cements Neddy’s isolation.

Neddy’s dissociation from his environment and other people serves as a critique of the alienating effects of suburban life. Cheever suggests that these unnatural communities hinder human connection both geographically and emotionally. However, Neddy’s fate, like that of Narcissus, is also a product of his character and life choices. His egocentrism and disregard for others finally results in social ostracization.