The Theme Of The Swimmer
Short Story Essay the Theme of
“The Swimmer” by John Cheever
Written by Natalie Black
There are many important literary elements writers use to create a story. These elements are what give life to each story they provide a balance foundation to each story. The following are types of literary elements: plot, setting, narrative, character, theme, etc. Each one of these elements help to build a story from the ground up to assist in the creation of each story. Without the use of these building blocks a writer’s work will crumble in a sense. One important building block for writers in the theme, the theme provides the link between the story and the audience. It is what writers use to attract their audience this theme can
…show more content…
Throughout Neddy’s journey from house to house a pool to pool Cheever incorporates more themes into his story such as time throughout Neddy’s journey he begins with a warm summer day however over time Neddy notices a change in trees as if there is a change in seasons. This theme of time resonates with readers as the main character Neddy begins to notice the changes in the weather, he begins to feel weaker as if he is getting older or aging during his mission to swim home. Readers can associate with this theme as we’re all growing and aging overtime and every year we make a list of things to accomplish but most of the time that list goes unaccomplished. Through his journey home Neddy notices the changes in trees, as well as the smell in the air he to begins to notice changes within himself and begins to cry. Cheever used the theme of time as a concept of change he used it to show how life around this middle aged man has changed rapidly yet Neddy himself either has not yet accepted the change or refuses to accept it. This theme is interwoven throughout the entire story as in the beginning of the story he is married and “his 4 beautiful daughters are at home in his big house” were as at the end of the story his house is boarded up and his family is no where to be found. The theme of time assisted with Cheever with the theme of
Symbolism In The Swimmer By John Cheever
781 Words | 4 PagesThe seasonal change and the weather symbolize his social status and his misfortunes. At the beginning Neddy is greeted warmly with his random appearances in people's backyards and is always “a marvelous surprise.” But when a storm appears upon Neddy, it and its percussive thunder starts his transformation to social outcast. People's gold and red leaves give him a “sadness at [the] sign of autumn.” This is the first time he is portrayed other than happy and could be his subconscious thinking of the hardships he is going through, because consciously he is unaware.
Critique Upton Sinclair's The Jungle '
276 Words | 2 PagesThis section discusses the importance of theme in the writing process. Interestingly enough, the main message seems to be that one should not start writing with the purpose of getting one’s writing to embody a specific theme. According to the text, this can lead to the theme being too overtly stated or developed. A selection of writing by Flannery O’Connor is included which carries the same message, that theme should be subtly present throughout a story. Then, the authors critique Upton Sinclair’s
Two Themes In Elie Wiesel's Book Night
461 Words | 2 PagesThemes in a story help to describe what the book is about. It does this in the book Night by helping describe what World War 2 was like for the Jews. It also helps to see what the people in the camps went through. My two themes from night are imprisonment and survival. The first one I will talk about is imprisonment, then i’ll talk about survival.
Why Is Fahrenheit 451 Banned
343 Words | 2 PagesIn this novel, the most significant element is the theme. Themes are the fundamental and often universal ideas explored in a literary work. They are considered to be the bigger something, a “truth” being explored
Hero's Value And Death In The Crucible By Arthur Miller
501 Words | 3 PagesHero's Value and Death An important element of literature is the theme, or the overall message a story wants to convey to its readers. The themes can make a story appear more interesting and compelling as it grabs the readers' attention. It also connects all parts of a story together, including the characters, the conflicts, and the plot. As a result, it makes a story easier to understand and readers are able make more connections to it.
Examples Of Denial In The Brooks
630 Words | 3 PagesHe is determined to swim home through neighbors pools. Cheever exposes Neddy’s delusions early stating, “The only maps and charts he [Neddy] had to go by were remembered or imaginary but
Relationships In The Book Night
525 Words | 3 PagesThe situations take place in the story are evidence for the theme. First, the theme
'The Scarlet Ibis' By Hurst Theme
462 Words | 2 PagesAnother excerpt from the story that shows or helps develop the theme is in the
Theme Of The Man In The Water
447 Words | 2 PagesPeople begin to have extreme courage and strength when there are accidents. We get scared for others and dive right into help them. Some people will risk their lives to help people in need of serious help. Just like Donald Usher and Eugene Windsor, the helicopter crew, that risked their lives every time they landed in the water in Roger Rosenblatt ’s essay The Man in the Water.
The Swimmer Analysis
893 Words | 4 PagesThe short story show the reader the emptiness many experienced during the mid-century white flight. The Swimmer gives a view into the life of Ned Merrill, an affluent suburban man’s life. Cheever uses symbolism, imagery, and tone to convey the theme of narcissism and suburban emptiness during the 1960’s. In The Swimmer, Cheever uses symbolism as a tool to portray the theme of the short story.
Ambiguity In John Cheever's The Swimmer
833 Words | 4 PagesThe short story “The Swimmer” by John Cheever is about a middle aged man who lives in suburbia and isn’t content with his life. The story uses a lot of showing, instead of telling, to explain who Neddy, the main character, is and how he is passing his life by, while struggling with his problems, despite not confronting his problems until the end when it’s too late and his life has already passed him by. I didn’t enjoy this story due to the amount of showing and Neddy’s lack of character, but I really liked the idea of the story and what it was trying to do. I didn’t enjoy how much the story relied on showing. I think the amount of showing in the short story was confusing and might have left too much ambiguity.
Summary Of Halloween Morning By Bethan Hamilton Plot Chart
1434 Words | 6 Pages10. Theme The main idea, lesson to be learned, view/opinion of life, or patterns of life that the author wants to show.
Foreshadowing Examples In Lord Of The Flies
351 Words | 2 PagesOften times writers use literary elements to portray a central theme in a writing piece. Theses elements help the reader better understand the writing and help the writer develop the theme. One example of this is in the novel Lord of The Flies. In this novel there are multiple examples of foreshadowing which help to portray the central theme that good can turn to evil when people go unwatched.
Compare And Contrast The Old Man And The Sea
757 Words | 4 PagesEvery novel or stories gives a fundamental ideas or lesson for the readers. Most of the lesson are informative and it brings a changes to the readers mind. There will be a universal of an ideas explored in a literature and readers can abstract numerous themes depending on each individual. Similarly, in the novel “the old man and the sea” Hemingway depicted several themes related to nature, people and so on. However determination can also be one of the theme for the readers because the old man, Santiago didn’t gave up fishing even if he had cramp but he took this as an encouragement in his old age.
On The Jellicoe Road Analysis
725 Words | 3 PagesAll the themes of the novel link together, as family and friends resolve Taylors story arc by giving her a place to belong. Ultimately, the themes of the novel are used in such a way that allows readers to gain a better understanding of the characters. The themes of the novel are themes of the major characters worlds, essentially giving readers a look inside the characters head. Melanie Marchetta applied language techniques to furthermore emphasise the themes of the story. Overall, the authors use of themes created a fictional world full of complex and realistic
More about The Theme Of The Swimmer
Symbolism In The Swimmer By John Cheever
781 Words | 4 PagesCritique Upton Sinclair's The Jungle '
276 Words | 2 PagesTwo Themes In Elie Wiesel's Book Night
461 Words | 2 PagesWhy Is Fahrenheit 451 Banned
343 Words | 2 PagesHero's Value And Death In The Crucible By Arthur Miller
501 Words | 3 PagesExamples Of Denial In The Brooks
630 Words | 3 PagesRelationships In The Book Night
525 Words | 3 Pages'The Scarlet Ibis' By Hurst Theme
462 Words | 2 PagesTheme Of The Man In The Water
447 Words | 2 PagesThe Swimmer Analysis
893 Words | 4 PagesAmbiguity In John Cheever's The Swimmer
833 Words | 4 PagesSummary Of Halloween Morning By Bethan Hamilton Plot Chart
1434 Words | 6 PagesForeshadowing Examples In Lord Of The Flies
351 Words | 2 PagesCompare And Contrast The Old Man And The Sea
757 Words | 4 PagesOn The Jellicoe Road Analysis
725 Words | 3 Pages