Essay Example on The Swimmer by John Cheever

One of the key processes in literature is a critical analysis of an artist's message, approach, and style as well as the characters and their behavioural nature. However, to achieve this, the literary work is examined through different critical lenses. One of the literary analysis approaches is the use of psychological criticism, which is founded on psychoanalytical theories and its impact on human behaviour (Dobie 15). Psychological criticism involves three dimensions: one could focus on the creative expertise of the author and its relation to the real mental changes, character-centred analysis to determine their behavioural tendencies, and the interaction between the characters and the author's biographical background and experiences (Lynn, 172). Therefore, in many scenarios, psychological analysis entails the evaluation of how the author has critically presented sexuality, wishful thinking, unconsciousness, contradiction, and dilemma. In The Swimmer, John Cheever has used unconventional narrative to present psychological veracity on how Ned is denying his loss of social status and wealth by creating a mental fantasy.

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John Cheever skillfully combined the main character's fantasy to create a vivid description of a man who started well off but ended up in misery with disoriented post-midlife crisis experiences. Cheever presents an unconventional description of Ned's life yet he did not miss out any single detail about the social realities that influence how people relate with each other as well as the way they understand life experiences. The narrative appears as fiction at the beginning because of how the author captures the details of the surrounding and the characters. However, down the story, it is evident that the narrative is a realistic experience of Neddy, a man who started with strength, vigour, and determination but ended up in despair, solitude, and painful ordeal (Cheever 778). Cheever presents Neddy as a mythic icon ready to explore a journey and achieve an extraordinary goal that will make his accomplices to receive him in joy and applauses while honouring him choosing to dare. However, this does not end up as expected because in the first hour of his journey home through 15 pools of his neighbours, he covers four but he takes an extended period to complete the remaining half (Cheever 778, 780).

While reading the story one is could wonder whether the author was being mythical or ridiculous. The dilemma regarding the author's intentions emanates from the way the story ends in hopelessness despite the hopeful and vigorous begging of the quest. Neddy attempted to acquire all he lost, which the author highlights in the narrative as feeling the need for warmth, romance, a drink to quench his thirst (Cheever 781). However, in real life, Neddy actually attempted to regain his social status by building a mythical reconnection with his family, wealth, and neighbours. As Ned was swimming across the pools, the author presents the contradiction between his expectations and realities when he meets his neighbours. As he progresses with his expedition, the reality keeps worsening and his strength and vigour deteriorate. Cheever managed to capture the wondering thought of the reader while narrowing the possible guess that one could develop while reading the story. That is, the author skillfully started on a general platform of but progressively concluded narrowly by embedding ridicule in a sombre reality. On reaching home, Ned finds his home in utter solitude because it was deserted, which culminates his hopeless journey back home (Cheever 788).

The approach that Cheever used to present the traumatizing life experiences that Neddy went through presents the opportunity for literature analysts to view the theme of the narrative from a psychological lens. The author attempted to capture the sudden reality and agony that dawn on those who live in extravagance and forget to plan for their family and their future. When they become old and weary, they are unable to regain their splendour because they are unproductive and lacks the youthful vigour and dedication. Since the midlife crises come with depression and social disconnection, it becomes difficult for those who are affected face a risk of plunging into mental deterioration as seen with Neddy (Maliheh 22). From the story, it is clear that physical and mental decay is exacerbated by constant indulgence, lack of proper financial planning, and improper family relations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, In The Swimmer, John Cheever adopted a mixed style approach to first usher the readers into a wilderness of thought and possibilities before capturing their attention by narrowing the focus on the narrative. The unconventional approach at the beginning is later turned into psychological veracity on how Ned is denying his loss of social status and wealth by creating a mental fantasy until it dawns on him that there is little to be done to reverse his situation. Thematically, Cheevers presented the sudden reality that those lost in extravagance and indulgence will face. When they become old and weary, they face physical and mental decay and are unable to regain their youthful magnificence.

WorksCited

Cheever, John. Short Stories by John Cheever. New York: Random House Value Publishing. 1964. (776 - 788). Print.

Dobie, Ann B. Theory into Practice: An Intro to Literary Criticism. Australia: Wadsworth Cengage Learning. 2009. Print.

Lynn, Steven. Texts and Contexts: Writing about Literature with Criticism. Australia: Wadsworth Cengage Learning. 2009. Print.

Maliheh, Hushiddari. Midlife Crisis or Male Wound? A Psychoanalytical Study of the Protagonist's Behaviour as Midlife Crisis. Sodertorn University College: English Department. 2007. Web.