Our Literary Club: The Swimmer by John Cheever, April 13th through 16th

"The Swimmer", a short story by American author John Cheever, was originally published in The New Yorker on July 18, 1964. Originally conceived as a novel, it is probably Cheever's most famous and frequently anthologized story. At one point Cheever wanted to parallel the tale of Narcissus, a character in Greek mythology who died while staring at his own reflection in a pool of water. Later he dismissed this as too restrictive: His story explores suburban America, especially the relationship between wealth and happiness. As published, the story was highly praised for its blend of realism and surrealism, as well as his use of myth and symbolism. A twenty-page-long story with a whole inner world in it for you to discover.

This American literary classic has been selected from the school library by two keen readers in the NA1B class, Melissa and Laura, I would like to thank them for their willing cooperation, and great ideas. They will be running our next literary club, to be held the second week of April, together with the teacher.

Find below the pdf with the short story and a complete glossary of words and expressions in it.

The Swimmer by John Cheever

These are the first two questions posed by your fellow students. You will have to think about them as you read:

1) How is Neddy presented at the beginning and the end of the story?
2) What do the pools and the storm represent in Neddy's life?