The Swimmer is a short story by American author John Cheever. Published in 1964, it has since become one of the most widely read and studied works of contemporary literature. It tells the story of Neddy Merrill, an affluent suburbanite who decides to take a leisurely swim across his neighborhood's many swimming pools on what he perceives as a summer day's journey. In doing so, however, he slowly comes to terms with his own mortality and loneliness as he passes through each pool, all while reflecting on how far removed from reality his life had been up until this point.
When Cheever wrote The Swimmer in the early 1960s, America was going through significant social changes, including increased affluence for some classes and heightened awareness of issues like racism and poverty that existed beneath these new middle-class American lifestyles. This background provides much context into why Cheever chose to tell this particular tale of someone whose seemingly idyllic life hides something darker underneath its surface. This ultimately leads him down a path toward self-discovery and acceptance, despite any reservations or fears he may have had before embarking upon this fateful journey across his neighborhood's pools.
The Swimmer uses a lot of symbols, like water as a symbol of rebirth, and has well-developed characters, so readers can relate to Neddy Merrill's experiences in many ways. It provides a sense of comfort by showing that the readers are not alone in dealing with certain struggles, but it also challenges them further by forcing them out of their complacency. Change can only occur after accepting certain truths head-on, no matter how hard they might be initially perceived or experienced firsthand.
The importance placed on symbols within The Swimmer serves another purpose too. It emphasizes key points regarding morality without explicitly stating them outright, thus leaving the interpretation open-ended yet still effective enough for readers to come away from reading it feeling compelled. There is enough complexity embedded within the text itself, thus allowing different people to draw multiple conclusions based on the same material present therein, potentially stimulating conversations should anyone ever choose to discuss the work in more depth afterward. The topics that may arise could range from environmentalism and global warming to politics, the general human condition, modern society, and current world events. Powerful writing provides a platform to express ideas freely regardless of personal beliefs, resulting in captivating stories that stay in readers' minds long after finishing the last page.
Overall, we see that The Swimmer remains relevant decades later. This is largely due to Cheever's ability to craft timeless pieces of art that stand the test of time and continue to inspire generations. As readers and members of society, we must make sure to never forget the important lessons learned along the way or underestimate their value. Honesty, reflection, and seeking knowledge ourselves are necessary in order to grow individuals and societies as a whole.