Define these literary terms on the basis of John Cheever’s short story “The Swimmer”.
Allegory: The progression of the seasons is an allegory for Neddy’s personal life. At the
beginning of the story it is a midsummer Sunday. Neddy has a good relationship to
his family and no financial trouble. However, with the change of his life comes the
change from summer to autumn. Just as Neddy does not realize his own downfall,
he does not notice the transition from summer to autumn.
Table of Contents
1. Allegory
2. Allusion
3. Ambiguity
4. Archetype
5. Bildungsroman
6. Epiphany
7. Epistolary Novel
8. Euphemism
9. Fable
10. Figurative language
11. Foreshadowing
12. Genre
13. Hyperbole
14. Irony
15. Legend
16. Myth
17. Narrator
18. Novel
19. Oxymoron
20. Pathos
21. Personification
22. Picaresque Novel
23. Plot
24. Protagonist
25. Romance
26. Satire
27. Style
28. Symbol
29. Theme
30. Tone
Objectives and Topics
This work provides a comprehensive literary analysis of John Cheever’s short story “The Swimmer” by defining and applying essential literary terms to the text's narrative progression, character development, and stylistic elements.
- Examination of narrative techniques such as point of view, plot structure, and use of allegory.
- Analysis of figurative language and rhetorical devices including irony, hyperbole, and symbolism.
- Exploration of character maturation and the concept of the Bildungsroman.
- Investigation of thematic concerns regarding social class, wealth, and existential decline.
- Evaluation of shifts in tone and style throughout the narrative.
Excerpt from the Book
Archetype
The upcoming storm is a sign for Neddy’s problems. He know the storm is coming, but instead of fearing it, he anticipates it (“Why did he love storms, what was the meaning of his excitement when the door sprang open and the rain wind fled rudely up the stairs, why had the simple task of shutting the windows of an old house seemed fitting and urgent, why did the first watery notes of a storm wind have for him the unmistakable sound of good news, cheer, glad tidings?” p.730). He does not realize its possible power of destruction. People are trying to confront Neddy with his problems, but similar to the storm he fails to realize the extent of his own downfall.
Summary of Chapters
Allegory: The change of seasons throughout the story serves as a mirror for Neddy’s personal life and his eventual downfall.
Allusion: Various names referenced in the text point toward real-life families of the American upper class.
Ambiguity: The passage of time within the story remains unclear, shifting from what seems like a single day to a duration of weeks or months.
Archetype: The impending storm acts as a symbolic harbinger of the protagonist's unrecognized personal failures.
Bildungsroman: The narrative traces the transformation of Neddy from a wealthy, carefree man to someone who experiences maturity through the loss of his status and family.
Epiphany: A sudden realization regarding a shortcut home via the water triggers Neddy’s journey across the county.
Epistolary Novel: The term is noted in the list of literary definitions applied to the story's context.
Euphemism: Phrases such as "misfortunes" are used to obscure the harsher realities of Neddy’s situation.
Fable: Elements of nature, such as birds organizing their song, are described using human-like intentionality.
Figurative language: The author employs hyperbole to emphasize the characters' intense relationship with alcohol.
Foreshadowing: The approaching storm serves to signal the misfortune that awaits the protagonist.
Genre: The text is identified as a novel that presents a realistic study of upper-class social structures.
Hyperbole: Exaggerated reactions, such as the fear of dying due to a social cancellation, reflect the characters' superficial intensity.
Irony: Neddy views himself as a heroic explorer, yet the narrative reveals that he is losing his connections throughout his journey.
Legend: The term is listed as a literary category relevant to the analytical framework.
Myth: Comparisons are drawn between Neddy’s journey and the involuntary voyage of Odysseus.
Narrator: The story is told through a third-person omniscient perspective that remains tightly focused on Neddy Merrill.
Novel: The text explores the social superficiality of the wealthy, where discussions about financial struggles are considered taboo.
Oxymoron: The phrase "dead stream" serves as a contradictory description within the explorer's search.
Pathos: The protagonist's emotional state shifts toward pitiable misery as the story concludes.
Personification: Environmental elements like the wind and doors are attributed with human-like actions.
Picaresque Novel: The protagonist is characterized not as a perfect hero, but as a flawed individual struggling with addiction and financial instability.
Plot: The narrative follows Neddy’s journey across neighborhood pools on a summer day, culminating in the discovery of a desolate home and the passage of time.
Protagonist: Neddy Merrill serves as the central figure around whom the entire quest revolves.
Romance: The protagonist's attempt to frame his journey as a legendary adventure lacks substance and fails to benefit himself or others.
Satire: The opening segments of the text mock the superficial lifestyle of the upper class.
Style: The linguistic tone transitions from positive and youthful descriptors to darker, more depressing imagery by the end of the narrative.
Symbol: The condition of the water in the various pools serves as a reflection of Neddy's internal mental and life state.
Theme: The story examines wealth and the eventual, unnoticed economic collapse of the protagonist's family.
Tone: The narrative mood shifts from a relaxed, leisurely beginning to a serious and somber conclusion.
Keywords
John Cheever, The Swimmer, Literary Terms, Neddy Merrill, Upper Class, Symbolism, Irony, Bildungsroman, Foreshadowing, Narrative Analysis, Social Commentary, Wealth, Existentialism, Allegory, Persona
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic work?
The work focuses on analyzing John Cheever’s short story “The Swimmer” by defining and applying various literary terms to examine its structure, symbolism, and themes.
What are the central thematic fields explored?
The central themes include the superficiality of the upper class, the decline of wealth, the maturation process, and the protagonist’s existential downfall.
What is the primary goal of this research?
The goal is to provide a structured literary critique that demonstrates how specific literary devices, such as irony and symbolism, function within the narrative of the story.
Which scientific method is employed?
The work employs a qualitative literary analysis method, systematically applying standard literary definitions to specific excerpts from the primary text.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main section covers an extensive glossary of literary terms, ranging from Plot and Protagonist to Oxymoron and Satire, each illustrated with evidence from the text.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include literary analysis, John Cheever, Neddy Merrill, symbolism, upper-class critique, and narrative structure.
How does the author characterize the protagonist's journey?
The author characterizes Neddy’s journey as a shift from a self-perceived heroic quest to an involuntary realization of his own social and personal ruin.
What role does the setting play in the narrative's development?
The setting, specifically the progression of pools and changing seasons, serves as a symbolic reflection of Neddy’s internal decline and the passage of time.
How is the tone of the story analyzed?
The tone is analyzed as a transition, moving from a relaxed, celebratory opening to a somber and miserable conclusion, mirroring the protagonist's emotional trajectory.
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- Anne Sander (Autor:in), 2014, Fiction Literary Terms in John Cheever’s short story “The Swimmer”, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/416291
