In the short story "The Swimmer", John Cheever uses symbolism quite often. It is used to reveal the theme and show imagery. We will reflect on this short story and analyze the symbolism Cheever is most notable for.
             The story takes place in a very wealthy neighborhood where almost everyone has a pool. Not your average above ground pool, but enormous in-ground pools, some fed by streams. One hot summer day a man named Neddy Merrill was swimming at the Westerhazy's pool, "Neddy Merrill sat by the green water, one hand in it, one around a glass of gin" (369) He is described as a slender man, a man of youth even though he is not young. "He might be described as a summers day..." (369) Cheever compares Needy to a summer's day to show Needy as a warm, sporty person, without a care in the world.
             Neddy decides he is going to try and swim to his house 8 miles away in Bullet Park. He feels the "string of swimming pools" (369) can take him home." Making his way home by this uncommon route gave him the feeling that he was a pilgrim, an explorer, a man with a destiny" (370) In no way is he any of these things, but he thinks that to make himself feel more interesting.
             On his was home he knew he would see many friends and didn't want to be slowed down by conversation so he would have to be slick and slip away whenever he got tied up. It seems as though everyone was having friends over, he was offered many drinks. He swam half way home and he already had 4 or 5. " He felt tired, clean, and pleased at the moment to be alone, pleased with everything."(370)
             Along his journey he noticed some strange things going on, the Lindley's riding ring was overgrown with grass, and the Welchers have moved away. Neddy fails to remember them ever leaving.
             "Was his memory failing him or had he so disciplined it
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