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
- Allegory
- Allusion
- Ambiguity
- Archetype
- Bildungsroman
- Epiphany
- Epistolary Novel
- Euphemism
- Fable
- Figurative language
- Foreshadowing
- Genre
- Hyperbole
- Irony
- Legend
- Myth
- Narrator
- Novel
- Oxymoron
- Pathos
- Personification
- Picaresque Novel
- Plot
- Protagonist
- Romance
- Satire
- Style
- Symbol
- Theme
- Tone
Objectives and Key Themes
The objective of this text is to define various literary terms by applying them to John Cheever's short story "The Swimmer." This analysis uses the story as a case study to illustrate the practical application of these literary concepts.
- The deterioration of Neddy Merrill's life and its symbolic representation.
- The portrayal of the American upper class and its superficiality.
- The use of symbolism and allegory to convey deeper meanings.
- The shifting tone and style of the narrative to reflect Neddy's changing circumstances.
- The exploration of themes of wealth, social status, and personal downfall.
Chapter Summaries
Allegory: The progression of the seasons acts as an allegory for Neddy's decline. The story begins in midsummer, mirroring Neddy's initial success and strong family bonds. As his life unravels, the seasons shift to autumn, reflecting his unnoticed downfall and the disintegration of his relationships. The subtle change in seasons parallels Neddy's obliviousness to his own ruin, highlighting the insidious nature of his self-destruction.
Allusion: The numerous references to affluent families (Grahams, Hammers, Lears, etc.) allude to the real-life American upper class. These allusions contextualize Neddy's social circle, establishing the story's setting within a specific socioeconomic sphere. The casual dropping of these names emphasizes the familiarity and interconnectedness of this elite group, further highlighting Neddy's comfortable position within it – before his fall.
Ambiguity: The story's timeline is deliberately ambiguous. What initially appears to be a single day unfolds over a much longer period, revealed through details like falling leaves and wood smoke. This ambiguity contributes to the overall sense of disorientation and the unraveling of Neddy's reality, mirroring his internal confusion and denial of his problems. The reader, like Neddy, is left uncertain of the exact passage of time, contributing to the story's unsettling atmosphere.
Archetype: The approaching storm serves as an archetype for Neddy's impending problems. While others perceive the storm as a threat, Neddy welcomes it, showcasing his obliviousness to the looming danger. His inability to recognize the storm's destructive potential mirrors his inability to confront his own failings. This underscores the archetypal nature of self-destruction and the often-ignored warnings preceding a crisis.
Bildungsroman: Neddy's journey, though presented as a physical act of swimming, functions as a Bildungsroman. He transforms from a carefree, wealthy individual into a man who has lost both his fortune and his family. The stark contrast between his initial carefree attitude and his final desolate state illustrates the story’s focus on his character arc. The irony lies in the fact that everyone around Neddy seems to mature, while he remains stagnated in denial, highlighting the central theme of his arrested development.
Epiphany: Neddy's epiphany, the realization that he can swim home by water, initiates his central action. This simple insight sets him on a journey that ironically leads to his downfall rather than to the envisioned homecoming. The seemingly innocuous idea of swimming home becomes a symbol of his misguided self-perception and unrealistic optimism.
Euphemism: Mrs. Halloran's use of "misfortunes" to euphemistically refer to Neddy's hardships illustrates the polite avoidance of uncomfortable truths within his social circle. This polite yet evasive language reveals the superficial nature of their relationships and underscores the extent of Neddy's denial. The careful choice of words shows the reluctance to directly confront the reality of Neddy's situation.
Fable: The birds' seemingly organized response to the approaching storm acts as a fable. This personification of nature foreshadows the impending chaos, creating an allegorical representation of the human inability to control, or even acknowledge, the forces impacting their lives. The narrative subtly compares the birds’ collective action to human behavior, adding another layer of symbolic meaning to the storm.
Figurative Language: The italicized repetition of “drank” functions as a hyperbole, emphasizing the characters' excessive alcohol consumption and their casual attitudes towards drinking. The stylistic choice of italicization draws attention to this detail, highlighting the use of alcohol as a significant aspect of the story's commentary on the social habits of the upper class.
Foreshadowing: The developing storm consistently foreshadows Neddy's impending misfortune. The descriptions of darkening clouds and thunder create a sense of foreboding. This foreshadowing underscores the link between the external environment and Neddy's internal turmoil, emphasizing the impending disruption of his comfortable reality.
Genre: "The Swimmer" functions as a novel, presenting a realistic study of social relationships within the upper class, exposing its shallowness and superficiality. This genre classification helps to understand the author’s approach and the underlying social commentary woven throughout the narrative.
Hyperbole: Enid Bunker's exaggerated statement, "When Lucinda said that you couldn't come I thought I'd die," is a hyperbole. This emphasizes her excitement over Neddy's visit, displaying the intensity of her reaction and the importance of social interactions within this exclusive social group. It provides insights into the exaggerated responses within the upper-class social dynamic.
Irony: Neddy's belief that his unconventional route home would lead him to many friends is ironic. The story subverts this expectation, showcasing how isolated and alienated he becomes. This situational irony creates a dramatic contrast between his perception of his own journey and the reality of his social decline.
Myth: Neddy's perception of himself as a “pilgrim, an explorer, a man with a destiny” mirrors the mythic journey of Odysseus. This comparison elevates Neddy's swim to a symbolic level, highlighting his self-delusion and the contrast between his perceived heroism and the banality of his actual situation. This mythic framework adds another layer to Neddy's character development and the underlying themes of the story.
Narrator: The third-person omniscient narrator focuses on Neddy's perspective, giving the reader insight into his thoughts and feelings. This narrative choice allows readers to experience Neddy's journey and his gradual disillusionment directly, amplifying the impact of the story’s central theme.
Novel: The text functions as a novel, focusing on the realistic portrayal of social relationships and the superficiality of the upper class. The use of this genre allows for in-depth exploration of the characters and the societal structures in which they operate.
Oxymoron: The description of a "dead stream" is an oxymoron, highlighting the incongruity between Neddy's expectations and the reality he encounters. The jarring combination of words mirrors his emotional and social disintegration.
Pathos: As the story progresses, Neddy's increasing pathos evokes sympathy from the reader. The description of his misery, cold, fatigue, and bewilderment creates a powerful sense of empathy and accentuates the gravity of his decline.
Personification: The personification of the door and the wind adds to the story's symbolic richness. These examples of personification heighten the dramatic tension and contribute to the overall atmosphere of the story, emphasizing the turmoil and instability of Neddy’s situation.
Picaresque Novel: "The Swimmer" incorporates elements of a picaresque novel through Neddy's adventures and misfortunes. His flaws and struggles make him an unconventional hero, further enriching the overall narrative structure and complexity.
Plot: The plot follows Neddy's attempt to swim home, which ironically exposes his life's disintegration. The contrast between his initial optimism and the ultimate bleakness of his homecoming underscores the central theme of self-deception and the consequences of denial.
Protagonist: Neddy Merrill is the protagonist, driving the narrative through his swim. His actions and perceptions shape the reader's understanding of the story's events and themes.
Romance: Neddy's self-perception as a hero is a form of romance. His actions lack real value or purpose, highlighting the disconnect between his self-image and reality. This ironic perspective adds another layer to the exploration of self-deception and escapism as central themes.
Satire: The story satirizes the superficial lifestyle of the upper class, particularly in its opening paragraphs. This satirical element provides sharp social commentary and adds a layer of critique to the narrative.
Style: The story's style shifts from positive and relaxed language at the beginning to darker and more serious tones towards the end. This stylistic evolution parallels Neddy's emotional and social decline, amplifying the sense of despair and loss.
Symbol: The pools symbolize Neddy's mental and physical state. The initial clarity of the water reflects his initial self-satisfaction, while the deterioration of the water’s quality mirrors his declining circumstances. This symbolic representation reinforces the narrative’s overall impact and thematic complexity.
Theme: Wealth is a central theme, initially portrayed through the characters' lavish lifestyles. Neddy's obliviousness to his family's bankruptcy highlights the superficiality of their wealth and its inability to provide security or true happiness. This exploration of the theme adds to the story’s social commentary.
Tone: The story's tone shifts from relaxed and optimistic to increasingly somber and serious. This tonal change underscores Neddy's journey from carefree affluence to disillusionment and despair.
Keywords
Allegory, Allusion, Ambiguity, Archetype, Bildungsroman, Epiphany, Euphemism, Fable, Figurative Language, Foreshadowing, Genre, Hyperbole, Irony, Myth, Narrator, Novel, Oxymoron, Pathos, Personification, Picaresque Novel, Plot, Protagonist, Romance, Satire, Style, Symbol, Theme, Tone, American Upper Class, Social Commentary, Self-Deception, Downfall, "The Swimmer," John Cheever.
John Cheever's "The Swimmer": A Literary Analysis - FAQ
What is the purpose of this literary analysis?
This analysis aims to define and illustrate various literary terms by applying them to John Cheever's short story, "The Swimmer." It uses the story as a case study to demonstrate the practical application of these literary concepts.
What literary terms are covered in this analysis?
The analysis covers a wide range of literary terms including allegory, allusion, ambiguity, archetype, Bildungsroman, epiphany, epistolary novel, euphemism, fable, figurative language, foreshadowing, genre, hyperbole, irony, legend, myth, narrator, novel, oxymoron, pathos, personification, picaresque novel, plot, protagonist, romance, satire, style, symbol, theme, and tone.
What are the key themes explored in "The Swimmer"?
Key themes explored include the deterioration of Neddy Merrill's life and its symbolic representation; the portrayal of the American upper class and its superficiality; the use of symbolism and allegory; the shifting tone and style of the narrative; and the exploration of wealth, social status, and personal downfall.
How does the analysis apply these literary terms to "The Swimmer"?
The analysis provides detailed explanations of each literary term, followed by a specific application to elements within "The Swimmer." For example, it explains how the progression of seasons acts as an allegory for Neddy's decline, how allusions to affluent families contextualize the story's setting, and how ambiguity in the timeline contributes to the overall sense of disorientation.
What is the significance of the story's structure and narrative style?
The analysis highlights the significance of the story's ambiguous timeline, the shifting narrative style mirroring Neddy's changing circumstances, and the use of a third-person omniscient narrator that provides insight into Neddy's thoughts and feelings. The story's structure and style contribute significantly to the overall thematic impact.
What is the role of symbolism in "The Swimmer"?
Symbolism plays a crucial role in "The Swimmer." The analysis examines the symbolic representation of the pools reflecting Neddy's mental and physical state, the approaching storm symbolizing impending problems, and the act of swimming itself symbolizing Neddy's misguided self-perception.
What is the overall interpretation of "The Swimmer" presented in this analysis?
The analysis interprets "The Swimmer" as a story about self-deception, the superficiality of the American upper class, and the consequences of denial. It highlights Neddy's journey from carefree affluence to disillusionment and despair, using various literary devices to convey these themes.
What are the chapter summaries provided in the analysis?
The analysis provides chapter summaries focusing on each literary term discussed, explaining how each term applies to specific events and elements within "The Swimmer." These summaries provide a concise yet comprehensive overview of the story's thematic elements and literary techniques.
What keywords are associated with this literary analysis?
Keywords include: Allegory, Allusion, Ambiguity, Archetype, Bildungsroman, Epiphany, Euphemism, Fable, Figurative Language, Foreshadowing, Genre, Hyperbole, Irony, Myth, Narrator, Novel, Oxymoron, Pathos, Personification, Picaresque Novel, Plot, Protagonist, Romance, Satire, Style, Symbol, Theme, Tone, American Upper Class, Social Commentary, Self-Deception, Downfall, "The Swimmer," John Cheever.
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- Anne Sander (Autor), 2014, Fiction Literary Terms in John Cheever’s short story “The Swimmer”, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/416291
