Text: The Swimmer, John Cheever Selected passage: Beginning to “friends would line the banks of the Lucinda River” (pgs 1-2 in pdf) Thesis: In the opening paragraphs of “The Swimmer”, John Cheever introduces the ideals of booming suburban life in post-war America; the American Dream, affluence and wealth, and youth and vitality. Told through a third-person narrator, the passage foreshadows the plight of Neddy Merrill by using repetition and vivid language to symbolize suburban monotony and enhance his delusion, references to Greek mythology to illustrate his downfall, and setting an artificially positive tone that leaves the reader even more acutely aware of the growing ominous air and devastated by the tragic end. Elements to focus on: Major …show more content…
He crawls despite the move not being fit for swimming long distances, showing that he is highly aware of how others will perceive him. Thus, water does not enable Neddy to be his true self quite yet. As the story progresses, the reader sees this change and water Neddy has an unchivalrous attitude towards women, yet he names his route after his wife. May show the contrast between his blind, childishly optimistic, artificial belief and