
Much like the author of the short story, John Cheever, The Swimmer describes the tale of Neddy Merill, a rich socialite that lives in a state of youthful bliss by turning a blind eye the situations that cause the downfall to many of his important relationships. Throughout the story, the consistent themes of the passage of time and suburbia within the upper class play significant roles in the main character’s life. These themes reveal the importance of being rich with friendships and love, rather than being just well off, which when putting off these important relationships and one’s immense narcissim, can eventually cause one’s demise. 

At the beginning of the short story, Neddy starts his journey at his neighbors pool with his wife, Lucinda, and this section of the story significantly portrays the way not only Neddy is viewed by his peers, but how Merill views himself. He is described as “not a practical joker” but portrays himself “determinedly original” and “has a modest idea of himself as a legendary figure” (Cheever 727). This portrayal of himself reveals the self-perception of most of the higher class and how the narcissism among them can be a factor to push away the ones they care about. The idea that Neddy views himself as “original” and a “legendary figure” shows the illusion within his voice, because he also has a “modest” view of himself, which does not fit when describing himself as legendary. Along with this quotation, Neddy makes his first venture next door to the Grahams’ pool, which helps intensify his perception of himself and how the tone of arrogance is being set within the story. When Mrs. Graham explains how she had been “trying to get [him] on the phone all morning,” he described himself as an “explorer” and Mrs. Graham as a “native” (Cheever 728). With the fact that she was trying to reach him all morning and the fact he arrogantly uses the comparison between the natives and explorers affirms the way Merill is portrayed within in his community and the fact he compares her to native starts to exhibit the way he will distance himself from his friends and family. 

Towards the middle of the story, the entire mood begins to shift towards a darker tone. He begins to explain how “it would storm” and how the birds “[seemed] to organize their song into some acute knowledgeable recognition of the storm’s approach… Then the noise of fountains came from the crowns of all the tall trees” (Cheever 730). With this storm approaching, Neddy goes onto a long rant about the dark, haunting, incoming storm. This storm represents the sudden change in time and because he had little interest in anyone other than himself, the time begins to pass him by. He loses what matters most and he begins to age without even realizing it. 

When he takes his next venture to the Welcher’s, he finds the pool empty and a for sale sign in the front of their yard. He could not remember the last time he had heard from them and questions whether or not it was when “he and Lucinda last regretted an invitation to dine with them” (Cheever 730). The fact that the neighbors entire house was for sale and Merill had not noticed starts to represent how time began to speed up and also how Neddy once again turned down an invitation to visit with his neighbors. He uses the word “regretted” to once again emphasize the way he talks about his neighbors and it also reiterates the theme of how passing on friends and family can lead to an empty life which is represented by the dry pool and the barren house. 

Towards the end of short story, the author finalizes the piece by describing the rest of Neddy’s journey with a bleaker and somber tone. One of the last pools where he ends his course, the author characterizes Merill as “staggering with fatigue” on the way to the last house and Neddy is “stupefied with exhaustion that his triumph seemed vague” (Cheever 737). Though he swam across an enormous amount of pools in his community, he is described as stumbling and overcome with fatigue, which suggest that Neddy has aged quite a bit. At the beginning, he is portrayed as “legendary” and he thinks very highly of himself, however, now he appears shocked with how weary he became. Merill set his sights on a goal, forgetting how this would affect the people around him, and not only did he age quickly, but he also pushed away the people he cared about. The last paragraph of the story suggests the final metaphorical nail in Merill’s coffin. He finally makes it back to his own home and “[pounds] on the door, [tries] to force it open with his shoulder” but then he soon notices that “the place was empty” (Cheever 737). Coming home and noticing that the entire house is dark and empty, shows Neddy that his trek not only forced him to lose his friendships, but it also lost him his family. The fact that the author left him to find his home empty last, reveals that Neddy’s arrogance was too great to be ignored by his wife, someone who vowed to love and support him. This last sentence finalized the piece as if to signify how immense his loss became. 

The Swimmer portrayed a story of how one’s ego and mindset can cause the downfall of person. Merill continues to struggle with this issue and through the themes the passage of time and the community within the rich members of the upper class helps portray the way Merill was undiscerning towards these issues that he faced. 
