The Swimmer

"The Swimmer" is a short story by John Cheever, first published in The New Yorker in 1964. The story follows the journey of Neddy Merrill, a suburban man who decides to swim his way home through the pools of his wealthy neighbors. As he makes his way through the pools, he reflects on his life and relationships, and the story takes on a surreal and haunting quality.

Neddy Merrill is a well-to-do man who lives in a comfortable suburban community with his wife and children. One day, he decides to swim home from a friend's pool party, using the backyard pools of his wealthy neighbors as stepping stones. As he sets out on his journey, he feels invigorated and youthful, and the warm sun and cool water are a refreshing escape from his mundane life.

But as he progresses through the pools, he begins to feel a sense of unease. The water becomes colder and the sky grows darker, and he starts to feel a sense of exhaustion and disorientation. He struggles to remember the names of his neighbors and feels increasingly disconnected from the world around him.

As he makes his way through the pools, he encounters various characters from his past, each of whom seems to symbolize a different aspect of his life. He meets a former mistress, a neighbor with whom he had a business dispute, and a group of young girls who represent the innocence and promise of youth.

At each pool, Neddy becomes more and more aware of the passing of time and the transience of life. He reflects on his own mortality and the fragility of his relationships with his family and friends. He realizes that he has been living in a bubble of privilege and luxury, and that his idyllic life is built on a foundation of lies and delusions.

As he nears his home, Neddy discovers that his wife has left him and that his house is empty and abandoned. He is shocked and disoriented by the realization that his life has fallen apart, and that he has been living in a fantasy world of his own making.

The story ends with Neddy standing in his empty backyard, looking out at the dark and empty pools. He realizes that he has lost everything that was important to him, and that he is alone in a world that he no longer understands.

"The Swimmer" is a haunting and surreal exploration of the human condition. It touches on themes of mortality, identity, and the fragility of our relationships with others. The story is a poignant reminder that our lives are defined not by our possessions or achievements, but by our connections with others and our ability to find meaning in the world around us.

As he begins his journey, he is filled with a sense of freedom and adventure, relishing the opportunity to explore the world around him in a way that he has never done before. He encounters various friends and acquaintances along the way, each of whom seems to offer a different perspective on his journey.

However, as he progresses through the pools, he begins to feel increasingly tired and disoriented, and the once-clear waters become murky and threatening. The people he encounters also become increasingly distant and hostile, and he starts to realize that something is seriously wrong.

As the story progresses, it becomes clear that Neddy's journey is not just a physical one, but a metaphor for his life. As he swims through the pools, he is forced to confront the mistakes he has made and the people he has hurt along the way. By the end of the story, he is left alone, lost, and struggling to find his way back to his former life.