Nightmare in Suburbs: English Prof Explains Cheever's "The Swimmer," A Modern-Day Odyssey Analysis

[@mug7546]

I feel like the public pool in this story could represent a lot of different things. Each individual fear/struggle/worry of Neddy's is represented in it. It's a combination of youth and happiness and can further showcase just how sad and alone Neddy is.

[@drwhitneykosters]

Can you elaborate on how his fears are symbolized by the public pool? I like this idea!

[@mug7546]

⁠@@drwhitneykostersI took from the story that he’s not necessarily a man of order, but does like to have his freedom and appreciates it staying that way. the public pool sort of spits in the face of that and so his fears of everyone being able to do what he can and him not feeling as privileged, with things constantly dirty and messy are showcased. That’s at least how I took some of it

[@JessicaMcGowan-bu4ls]

It is a cultural shock for him. When he crosses the highway, he goes from the rich part of town to the blue collar working class side - very symbolic. The public pools had no room to swim a length as in the pools in the wealthy side. People in the public pool were laughing and playing and Ned could not understand how they could be having fun.

[@Joseph66678]

The character in this story is rather strange, seeming to be on some sort of trivial mission to swim in the pools of his many neighbors in a strange fascination. The interesting thing for me was the interactions had in between those sublime moments where he swam, a misadventure after existing every pool. There is also a depth to the inner workings of this man and his vain perception of himself. All in all a great read.

[@drwhitneykosters]

Absolutely. The interactions that he has during his journey across the county reveals a staggering amount of info about Neddy and his life. It’s a clever way for Cheever to tell us everything without actually having to say it.

[@danyaslife96]

This offered a new perspective to me on the standard of living in prestigious neighborhoods. I also saw how this applies to the real world and even people in our society today. It shows the character a person has and the limits they go to, to fit in. The depiction of Neddy's life shows the overall transformation that people go through when they age and how they begin to view others.

[@drwhitneykosters]

Yes, I think this story is still extremely relevant today!

[@wainthepain3650]

Wow, you really delves deep into the layers of "The Swimmer" by John Cheever, illuminating the suburban facade and the consequences of denial. Your analysis sheds light on the complexities of Neddy's journey and its reflection of broader societal themes. Thanks

[@drwhitneykosters]

Thanks for sharing!

[@XxGibleRSxX]

This story was a unique read for me because of how John Cheever utilizes symbolism or imagery to compare the swimming pool to Neddy's life in his posh suburban neighborhood. At first, I felt as if I couldn't understand the comparisons being drawn but this lecture fully tied everything together and made it easier to understand what I was missing or what may have felt like a stretch of a comparison.

[@drwhitneykosters]

Glad it helped!

[@vickyperez3602]

This overall was my favorite sotry this semester. It shows how the choices we make are our fault and no one else is to blame for them. The way the main character reflects on his life and choices is reality because he filled his life with fake companionship that toward the end is nowhere to be found instead of meaningful relationships like his wife or famil who truly would care for him. The superficial nature he cared so much about left him feeling more lonely because at the end he is left by himself to face with what he has done that led him there. Make good choices in life and stop caring about what others thing sometimes conformity isn't always a good thing if it means by the end you will be unhappy.

[@drwhitneykosters]

I’m glad you enjoyed the story!

[@gvg.8785]

I find this story useful and easy to catch the main themes. This story is a great example of arrogance, a type of life where a person chooses to enjoy moments that will not bring any benefit in the future and by putting aside family, he is completely signing a pass to a miserable and lonely life where no one will help him once he loses everything he boasts. This story is very descriptive as it gives an example of the evils of today's society. For me, it is a story with many themes to analyze, not just arrogance.

[@drwhitneykosters]

Yes, absolutely. There are many more themes that I don't mention in the lecture.

[@chelseytorres4214]

Personally i don't think i could ever handle to live in a community where everyone lives and behaves the same. For a father to have to act a certain way and reach a certain tier in social class so his family and community accept him is so unbelievable. To me, it seems that Neddy needed mental help, but everyone decided to just reject him. Whats crazy about this short story is that, the story wasnt even about Neddy it was about the entire neighborhood and its problems. Professor, you did an amazing job on explaining the plot and details of the story, its almost as if i didn't have to read the story to understand what happened.

[@drwhitneykosters]

Thanks for sharing!

[@VallerieFlores]

Another great lecture! At first, I didn’t really understand the context behind this story until watching this lecture. This was one of few stories this semester that was a bit hard to grasp. However, after paying close attention, I came to realize that one of the issues in the story was denial and how to avoid dealing with our own problems in life. I think this is an important topic to discuss because I feel a lot of us go through things like this at some point in our lives. Another thing that caught my attention was the fact that Neddy found himself having nothing left to live for considering the fact that he had everything. This was important because it shows the reader that material goods are not always as valuable as people may think.

[@drwhitneykosters]

Thanks for sharing!

[@HovikG.]

The story was an interesting one from its symbolism to character transformation we get to see the suburban life that Neddy lives. This lecture was quite informative as well, it did a great job of breaking down important parts and helping me better understand the text before taking my quiz. When reading the story I actually didn’t think that the story was split into different sections this was also informative to see. It was also great seeing the visuals up on screen to represent the separate sections.

[@drwhitneykosters]

Yes, I think Cheever captured a lot of what suburban life can truly be for many of us. Thanks for sharing!

[@christinagarcia5204]

When I read the story of "The Swimmer" I didn't quite understand what was going on, at first except that I know that everyone seemed to be hungover from the night before, as if "they" had a big party. This lecture really helped me in recognize the main analysis and how the whole community, not just Neddy, defined themselves through money and material status, and thought that would, supposedly make them happy. This story was also about isolation from the rest of the world, denial about one's life problems, and shallowness. It also reveals that Suburbia life is not cut out to what people think it is. Suburbia is a life in itself, and if having money is all that important and if you lose it all, then really you have nothing, and that's exactly what happened to Neddy. He had it all, money, a wife, children, even a mistress, and at the end he had nothing. Knowing this, for Neddy, it was not the norm, so Neddy finally came to a realization that all he's done and failed to do, never was really worth living for anymore because he had nothing at the end of the story. He found himself with nothing to live for, which is pretty sad after having everything. The main analysis was that material goods (money) is not what people think it is. The more money, the more problems.

[@drwhitneykosters]

Great thoughts. I think, though, that it’s not necessarily the money that leads to problems; it’s about how Neddy perceives and handles money and the status it gives him.

[@juniorreyes6368]

This story was really interesting and provided an insight on the dynamics of social power in suburban settings. This lecture truly helped me in understanding the underlying themes of class, exclusivity, and power dynamics. I also think the transition was important because it shows Neddy living his 'perfect' life to his fall from grace and being shunned and alienated by his suburban neighbors and friends. I also liked how you correlated the story with that of Homer's "Odyssey", comparing the similarities and influences that Cheever took from the classical literature in order to incorporate it into his story.

[@drwhitneykosters]

Yeah, the mythological comparisons are so interesting to me!

[@Selennetamayo]

This story was quite interesting to me. I enjoyed the depiction of Neddy's life along with his community. Neddy kinda irks me because he seems to think that he is better than others, when it Is clear that he is not. I love how Cheever uses the public pool to show us Ned's journey through the neighborhood. He starts off happy and healthy, but by the end he is weak and tired, just how like many people feel with aging.

[@drwhitneykosters]

Yes, it's funny that the public pool is symbolic of the underworld. Nothing worse to Neddy!

[@ashleygharbi]

I really enjoy how The Swimmer is a story that is relevant today! It shows the pursuit of happiness vs the consequences of avoiding reality. Section one of the story shows happiness, how everyone is having fun, drinking, and most importantly enjoying time in their private pools. However section two shows what happens when we avoid reality, this is the modern aspect of the story. In my opinion, the public pool is a symbolization of reality and decline. It shows when Neddy's journey declines and takes a turn. You can even relate the public pool to the consequences of our actions. I really enjoyed this story as it is eye opening to the readers to be careful of their actions and what they do in life.

[@drwhitneykosters]

I think there are, unfortunately, a lot of Neddies in the world.

[@user-gj8ri5rv6w]

Great lecture and a totally new way to think about this story and the film when considering Homer's work.

[@drwhitneykosters]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Elk1112]

When I read the story, I was beyond confused. Neddy seemed obsessed with swimming in the neighbor’s pools and people, for the most part, seemed okay with it. It made me wonder if maybe he was insane. He also made it clear he didn’t know how much time had passed, and a lot of things seemed like a blur to him. I question if this was a drunken mistake or if he’s even awake, and this is all a dream.

[@drwhitneykosters]

It is a confusing story, to be sure. But, I think this reflects his confused or how much in denial Neddy is. Imagine how he feels!

[@reneemartinez5415]

This was disturbing and confusing as the realities of his life is slowly revealed. We’re along for his realization of how his life has completely unraveled. Like all the clues pop up and a self-indulgent lark becomes a tragic tale.

[@drwhitneykosters]

And, I think this happens to many people every day in real life.

[@jennagutierrez6570]

This was a great story and an interesting read where I appreciated John Cheever's use of symbolism and representation throughout. Although this was a bit of a sad reading as we get to understand the life that Neddy lives, it goes to show that we should appreciate what we have and not be arrogant about what is around us. The way Cheever showed Neddy's journey of life through swimming through pools and how he was in denial was a great way to put it because although it may leave some readers confused it is interesting to analyze that portion of the story. I think this is a story many people can still relate to this day as we live in a society where people live similar lifestyles.

[@drwhitneykosters]

Absolutely. I think many people are like this today!

[@alicabal7203]

When I first read "The Swimmer", I originally thought that Neddy was just getting lost in his own world as he was swimming through the pools and that he spent so much time swimming that his life started to fall to pieces. I didn't quite put together the fact that his life had already fallen apart and that the whole beginning of the story was his delusion. After watching the lecture, I have a better understanding of what actually happened and what got Neddy in the position that's revealed towards the end of the story. I think it's important to understand that suburbia life is, or can be, very materialistic. In this story specifically, everyone's status was important to them, along with the way they carry themselves and what things they possess. Neddy, once had everything. The way Neddy reacted to his status and money is what ultimately caused him to lose everything.

[@drwhitneykosters]

Thanks for sharing!

[@christopherbrooks9465]

I really like the analysis you drew when pertaining to the setup of the suburbia, and how the author slowly disintegrates our initial pleasant thought of that suburbia…. And how it relates to our lives.

[@drwhitneykosters]

Thanks for sharing!

[@alyssalopez5823]

I believe that a lot of us learn things after it's too late. This may be the result of us suppressing things that one day lash out or become too much for us to ignore. Neddy had no idea how much time had gone by or how his own actions would eventually come back to haunt him. It demonstrates how everyone has a maximum amount of suppression capacity.

[@drwhitneykosters]

Yes. There are many Neddys out there, I think.

[@JessicaMcGowan-bu4ls]

The analysis is excellent. The symbolism of crossing the highway is perfect - from the rich side to the poor side. Very well done.

[@drwhitneykosters]

Thank you so much, Jessica! 😊

[@JessicaMcGowan-bu4ls]

@@drwhitneykosters I appreciate your reply very much. This film has so much in it, has to be watched more than once. It would be great in a film course.

[@koshkotgrepes810]

At first, I was not understanding the story, then it got to the point where the side characters were talking to Ned or about him. I saw Ned as an extreme alcoholic who lost everything. Due to him being a constant drinker as seen in multiple parts of the story like, "There was a bar, and he started for it...he went to the bar and ordered a whiskey." or "It was his fourth or fifth drink". Throughout the story, Ned was always having a drink. Ned became a heavier drinker after one night of losing his money, probably through an investment gone wrong. Due to heavy use of alcohol there will be memory loss. I think his wife Lucinda decided to leave him and she took the kids, but he could not remember that because he was drinking too much. "Standing barefoot in the deposits of the highway beer cans, rags, and blowout patches, exposed to all kinds of ridicule, he seemed pitiful." This passage from the story talks about Ned and how he looks. He has memory loss, he drinks a lot, and plus the description, Ned is an alcoholic homeless man. He does not remember what happens to his family, does not remember his friend being ill, or neighbors leaving, or the passage of time. The pools can probably resemble alcoholic drinks, for example the neighbors' pools cane gin and tonic, whiskey, brandy, but the public pool with chlorine in it can resemble beer, and the Halloran's old pool can resemble old wine from the 1900's. This was my thought process when reading this story. This video was very informative and I would have never thought of the comparison to the Odyssey. Great video.

[@drwhitneykosters]

I never thought of the pools being symbolic of drinks! Thought provoking!

[@erinarnold9974]

This story kind of sent me on an emotional roller coaster. I didn’t really understand what This story kind of sent me on an emotional roller coaster. I didn’t really understand what I was reading at first, then I partly felt sad. But overall was a great read. Thanks for the lecture Dr. Kosters

[@clairebug]

Unfortunately the hollow, suburban lifestyle the story criticizes is still in full force today. True life is even MORE horrifying than fiction. Ever hear about those "Disney neighborhoods"? There are literal residential neighborhoods constructed by Disney so that their richest fans can live in a perfect, beautiful Disney utopia surrounded by their favorite characters, picket fences, lakes, and tons of stores selling Disney merchandise. I wish I were joking! I can only imagine the types of people that will be living there, and how many reenactments of "The Swimmer" will take place there.

[@drwhitneykosters]

I did not know this. That place is probably replete with Neddy Merrills!

[@Kiskitaa]

I imagine living in any type of lifestyle for a long time and never peaking out might seem scary but the reality is that most of us do. Suburbia is only one and this one is generally thought to be an idyllic one so finding flaws is controversial and the people who live in it will deny deny. Of course we all know this can't be true. I think Neddy is feeling the effects of that. Swimming through the pools of his neighbors he sees some of their problems and the way he is perceived. Everyone seems to have a drinking problem or be on the verge of it. It seems Neddy is going through a mid life crisis or is about to be after this realization and that is definitely a sort of odyssey.

[@drwhitneykosters]

Yes, a mid-life crisis is a sort of odyssey!

[@JessicaMcGowan-bu4ls]

This movie is powerful in what it does to people. I know people who can watch gory, bloody horror movies with a nonchalant attitude but are terrified of this movie. I have heard people tell me that it frightens them because "I am afraid that is me".

[@drwhitneykosters]

Yes, it’s so frightening, because what happens to Neddy is incremental, slow, and almost unnoticeable if you’re not self aware… and it can happen to the best of us, I think.

[@JessicaMcGowan-bu4ls]

@@drwhitneykosters I think that is why it scares people. I think it is interesting that twice only he is solo with women; the very, very angry mother of a fried who died and the former mistress who now shows contempt. Those scene tell even more than the entire collection of other scenes.

[@isabel1679]

To me, Neddy and everyone that lived this suburban lifestyle was delusional. Neddy, like his neighbors, had their own problems that they were going through but acted superior above all. Neddy never seemed to live in the moment and enjoy his privilege. I think him essentially loosing everything was good for him. He might have not truly learned anything but it was needed to kind of show him how good he had it but never actually appreciated. It’s very similar to people in todays society, who have it all but are entitled and suppress everything but the superficial things in life.

[@drwhitneykosters]

Yes, you make good points, though I'd argue that denial, suppression, repression, whatever you want to call it, is something that many people are guilty of, not just the privileged. It's a common human defense mechanism.

[@kellykathleen5889]

👏👏👏

[@bluemouse5039]

When Ned reached the home of the woman he had a affair with and asked her what happened? nothing is the same anymore! She hit the nail on the head telling Ned , You got kicked out of your golden play room , that's what happened, meaning Ned lived a charmed life in the early years of his life , he was a good looking man with personal charisma and things came easy for him , he could woe women into bed , get business opportunities by gift of jab and flattery, married into money and social status, but now that Ned is older he forgets that he over played his hand with all the people from his past and the the wit and charm that worked for him as a young man able to lie and manipulate others no longer works

[@drwhitneykosters]

And there are a lot of Neddy Merrills out there, I think!

[@bluemouse5039]

@@drwhitneykosters Right when you want to feel sorry for Ned , his verbal exchanges with people make you realize what a creep he was before he lost everything, like even in his delusional mental state believing he was going home to his wife and kids , he made it clear that he would have taken advantage of the teenage babysitter sexually, that had a crush on him, had he known she was infatuated with him

[@Rugia-ox7hx]

You really do not recognize this story. The very beginning gives away what the story is about. And, it is certainly NOT about American suburbia.

[@drwhitneykosters]

A story doesn’t have just one interpretation. That’s a limited way of looking at art.