Introduction to Literature

Respond the following questions

1.) Who is referred to by the word "everyone" in the opening sentence? Who is not?

All the guests

2.) How does Neddy Merrill relate to the world in which he moves? Why does he decide to swim home?

Neddy Merril relates to the world in a very detached way. Teddy considers himself to be one of value, and he decides to
swim the county like a pilgrim, an explorer, a man with a destiny." Because of this elevated sense of self, Neddy becomes
detached and disillusioned with the world around him, and consequently is unable to form real connections with the other
members of society.

3.) Why does Neddy name his route "the Lucinda River"? The Levys live on "Alewives Lane." Alewives are a
kind of fish that swim up rivers to spawn. Is there a sexual component to Neddy's journey?

The emptiness of suburbia also applies to Neddys love life. Even though Neddy names his pool path after his wife, Lucinda,
he is cut off from her as well by virtue of his affair with Shirley Adams.

4.) Is the storm that breaks a surprise? How does Neddy feel about the beginning of the rain?

In John Cheever's short story, "The Swimmer," before the storm, Neddy is strong and youthful in his mannerisms. He is
confident, and elated by the beauty of the day by the pool. In the midst of this confidence, he decides that he will "swim"
home, and so he sets off. As he continues on his journey through the yardsand poolsof his neighborhood, he meets
many people.

5.) What differences can be noticed between what Neddy experiences before and after the storm? How might
they be explained?

In John Cheever's short story, "The Swimmer," before the storm, Neddy is strong and youthful in his mannerisms. He is
confident, and elated by the beauty of the day by the pool. In the midst of this confidence, he decides that he will "swim"
home, and so he sets off. As he continues on his journey through the yardsand poolsof his neighborhood, he meets
many people.

6.) What new elements enter the story when Neddy crosses Route 424? Why do the drivers jeer at him?

7.) Based on what the Hallorans, the Sachses, the Biswangers, and Shirley Adams say to Neddy, what is the truth
about himself and his life of which he is unaware?

8.) It is not difficult to say what Neddy has lost. What has he gained?

9.) Explain why Neddy Merrill talks only with women.

10.) Analyze the characters Rusty Towers, Eric Sachs, and Neddy Merrill.

11.) Discuss Neddy's voyage as one of exploration and discovery.

12.) Evaluate Cheever's attitude toward the swimmer.

 Essay Questions

Write a psychological profile of Neddy Merrill. Your sources should include the story, library
research, and Internet research.

Is Neddy dreaming about swimming home? Is his journey a hallucination? Or is he actually

swimming home while under the influence of alcohol and a mental debility? Write an
argumentative essay that presents your views on this topic. Support your thesis with information
gleaned from research.

Does the public pool symbolize Neddy's life after he encounters financial problems and suffers a
downfall? Explain your answer.

Explain the following sentence in paragraph 11: "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?"

Does the storm represent a phase in Neddy's life?

Do the pools represent phases in Neddy's life?

Neddy does not have an identification disk authorizing him to swim in the public pool. Is Cheever
trying to say that Neddy has become an outcast in society?