“He might have been a summer god. Thighs like a Greek sculpture. Hair like spun gold.”
— Describing Ned Merrill's physical appearance at the start of his journey.
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On a perfect summer day, Neddy Merrill swims through his suburban neighborhood's pools, only to find his life growing colder and more desolate with each stroke towards an inescapable truth.
Synopsis
Neddy Merrill, a successful and popular man, decides on a whim to swim home from a friend's pool party by using every swimming pool in his affluent suburban neighborhood. He sees this 'river' of pools as a grand journey, showing his energy and connection to his community. As he starts, the day is perfect, and Neddy feels optimistic and adventurous. He meets friends and acquaintances at each pool, initially greeted with warmth. However, as the day goes on, the weather subtly changes, his encounters become less friendly, and Neddy's grasp on time and reality begins to slip. He faces increasing hostility, confusion, and a growing sense of isolation. By the time he reaches his own property, the summer day has turned into a cold, late autumn evening, and Neddy discovers a devastating truth about his life and the home he expected to find, revealing a great loss and the consequences of his past actions.
Reading time
15-20 min
Difficulty
Medium
Pacing
Moderate
Mood
Melancholy, Disorienting, Reflective, Ironic
✓ Read this if...
You enjoy short stories that pack a powerful emotional punch, exploring themes of memory, denial, and the fleeting nature of success and happiness.
✗ Skip this if...
You prefer clear, linear narratives with explicit explanations for events, or if you dislike stories with a strong sense of melancholy and ambiguity.
Plot Summary
The Westerhazys' Pool and the Idea
On a beautiful summer Sunday, Neddy Merrill relaxes by the Westerhazys' pool with his wife, Lucinda, and friends. Feeling refreshed, he notices the chain of swimming pools across the valley and suddenly decides to swim the eight miles home to his own house. He names this imaginary river 'Lucinda,' after his wife, and tells the amused party-goers his plan. Despite Lucinda's mild protests, Neddy, feeling exceptionally youthful and strong, strips to his trunks and prepares for his unusual journey, confident he can complete the 'Lucinda' river.
The Grahams' and the Hammars' Pools
Neddy dives into the Westerhazys' pool, then walks to the next property, the Grahams'. He finds no one home but enjoys a refreshing swim before moving on. At the Hammars' pool, he meets Mrs. Hammar, who is surprised to see him and offers a drink, which he declines, eager to continue. He feels liberated and joyful, seeing the familiar landscape from this new perspective. The first parts of his swim are marked by triumph and a pleasant, childlike sense of adventure, confirming his belief in his own energy.
The Lears' and the Bunkers' Pools
At the Lears' pool, Neddy finds the family hosting a small party. He swims and socializes briefly, still feeling energetic. He then goes to the Bunkers' pool, where he receives a slightly cooler reception. The Bunkers, known for their financial struggles, seem distant, and Neddy notices a subtle change in the atmosphere. He overhears snippets of conversation that hint at a passage of time or a change in circumstances that he does not quite register, still focused on his swimming quest. The perfect summer day seems to hold, but a faint unease begins to stir.
The Levys' Empty Pool
Neddy arrives at the Levys' property, expecting another refreshing stop. To his surprise, the Levys' pool is empty, a dry, cracked basin. This unexpected obstacle forces him to walk around it, feeling a momentary disappointment and a slight chill. He has to detour, and walking on the hot pavement, rather than swimming, breaks his journey's rhythm. This encounter with the empty pool is the first clear sign that his perfect, carefree adventure might not be as smooth as he first thought, introducing a hint of reality into his fantasy.
The Welchers' Overgrown Pool
Continuing his journey, Neddy reaches the Welchers' property. Their pool is overgrown with weeds and filled with leaves, clearly not maintained. He pushes through dense foliage to get to it, and the water is cold and uninviting. The Welchers themselves are elderly and frail, and their conversation is disjointed. Mrs. Welcher asks Neddy if he has heard about Eric, and Neddy, confused, does not understand. He feels a growing discomfort and a disconnect from the people he meets, noticing small details that suggest time has passed or events forgotten.
The Public Pool
Neddy finds himself at a public pool, a stark contrast to the private, manicured pools he is used to. The water is crowded and noisy, filled with children and less affluent families. He feels out of place, noticing the unfamiliar faces and the different social atmosphere. The public pool is a jarring interruption to his idyllic journey, forcing him to confront a reality outside his privileged bubble. He feels alienated and increasingly weary, both physically and emotionally, as the perfect summer day he started in seems to recede further into the past.
The Hallorans' and the Sachses' Pools
At the Hallorans' pool, Neddy is surprised to find them hosting a party for new neighbors. He realizes he does not recognize anyone and feels like an outsider. He then moves to the Sachses' pool, where he meets people he seems to know, but their conversation is distant and their questions about his whereabouts are vague. He feels a growing disorientation and confusion, as if he has missed significant events or time has passed without his knowledge. The sun is setting, and the air is noticeably colder, signaling the end of the day and perhaps the season.
The Biswangers' Pool and the Cocktail Party
Neddy arrives at the Biswangers' pool, a couple he considers socially inferior but who are now hosting a large, bustling cocktail party. He expects to be welcomed, but instead, he is met with coldness and thinly veiled contempt. Mrs. Biswanger makes a pointed remark about his financial troubles, and Neddy, still in his swim trunks, feels exposed and humiliated. He tries to get a drink but is ignored. This encounter is a significant turning point, as Neddy is forced to confront the harsh reality of his diminished social standing and the loss of respect from his peers.
Shirley Adams' House
Desperate for solace and warmth, Neddy makes his way to Shirley Adams' house. Shirley is a woman he once had an affair with, and he hopes to find comfort and perhaps a drink from her. However, Shirley is distant and unwelcoming. She reminds him of money she lent him, which he has not repaid, and dismisses his attempts at conversation. Her coldness and the reminder of his financial debts further deepen Neddy's despair. This rejection from a past intimate connection highlights his isolation and the complete erosion of his once-charming persona.
The End of the Journey: His Own House
As night fully descends and the air grows bitterly cold, Neddy, shivering and exhausted, finally reaches his own property. He expects to find his family, warmth, and the comfort of home. However, his house is dark, silent, and locked. He tries the doors and windows, but they are all secured. There are no lights, no signs of life. He calls out for Lucinda and his daughters, but only silence answers. The house appears empty, abandoned, and desolate, leaving Neddy in a state of shock and despair, alone in the cold, dark night.
Principal Figures
Neddy Merrill
The Protagonist
Neddy transforms from an optimistic, seemingly youthful man into a disoriented, socially disgraced, and ultimately desolate figure, stripped of his illusions and his past life.
Lucinda Merrill
The Mentioned
Her character remains static, serving primarily as a fading symbol of Neddy's past life and the home he believes he is returning to.
Shirley Adams
The Supporting
She serves as a catalyst for Neddy's realization of his financial and social decline.
Mrs. Hammar
The Supporting
She provides an early, fleeting glimpse of Neddy's seemingly normal social interactions before his decline.
The Biswangers
The Supporting
They serve as a mirror reflecting Neddy's fallen social status.
The Welchers
The Supporting
They contribute to the story's atmosphere of decay and forgotten time.
The Westerhazys
The Supporting
They provide the initial setting and catalyst for Neddy's journey.
Themes & Insights
The Passage of Time and Lost Youth
The most prominent theme is Neddy's denial of time passing and his desperate clinging to a lost youth. His journey, starting on a perfect summer day, quickly moves through seasons, from summer to autumn, and from day to night, symbolizing his life's decline. He initially feels 'unusually strong and young,' but by the end, he is shivering, exhausted, and aged. The empty pools, the neglected properties, and the forgotten conversations about 'Eric' all point to a history Neddy has ignored or forgotten, showing his detachment from reality and time's irreversible march.
“He might have been swimming in a river that was so dear to him that he would never forget its name.”
Social Decline and Isolation
Neddy's journey clearly shows his social decline and increasing isolation. He starts as a respected, well-liked member of his affluent community, but as he continues, he is met with indifference, coldness, and disdain. The public pool scene highlights his discomfort outside his privileged bubble, while the humiliation at the Biswangers' party and Shirley Adams' rejection show his lost standing and the disappearance of his charm. By the end, he is alone, locked out of his own home, symbolizing his complete separation from his former life and connections.
“He was a trespasser, an intruder, a nuisance.”
Delusion vs. Reality
Neddy's entire journey rests on delusion. He begins a whimsical adventure, imagining himself a heroic swimmer, while steadily ignoring the harsh realities of his life. He fails to notice the empty pools, the seasonal changes, the social cues, or his apparent financial ruin. His perfect summer day quickly turns into a cold, dark night, mirroring the collapse of his inner world. The story suggests Neddy has been living in denial, and his swim home forces him, harshly, to confront the truth of his circumstances.
“The water was cold, too cold for a swimmer, but he was not a swimmer, not really; he was a guest, an intruder.”
The Decay of the American Dream
The story subtly critiques the superficiality and decay in the affluent, suburban American Dream. The chain of swimming pools, initially symbols of leisure and prosperity, gradually reveal neglect, emptiness, and social stratification. Neddy, a representative of this dream, is himself decaying, both personally and financially. The 'perfect' summer day gives way to a harsh autumn, and the promise of suburban utopia is exposed as fragile and ultimately unfulfilling, leading to isolation and despair rather than happiness.
“He saw them all as a river, a veritable stream of consciousness.”
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
Symbolism of the Swimming Pools
Each pool represents a stage in Neddy's life and the changing social landscape.
The swimming pools function as powerful symbols throughout the story. Initially, they represent affluence, leisure, and a carefree summer existence. As Neddy progresses, their condition—from pristine to empty, overgrown, or public—mirrors his own deteriorating status and the decay of his social world. They mark the stages of his journey, each one a checkpoint that reveals more about the passage of time, his forgotten past, and his declining fortunes, ultimately leading him to the desolate 'pool' of his own empty home.
Shifting Seasons and Time
The rapid and unnatural shift from summer to autumn and day to night symbolizes Neddy's internal and external decline.
The story manipulates time and seasons in a surreal and symbolic way. Neddy begins his swim on a 'perfect midsummer's day,' but within what seems like a few hours, the air becomes cold, leaves are falling, and the sun sets, strongly suggesting autumn and night. This accelerated passage of time is not literal but rather a representation of Neddy's internal state, his lost youth, and the rapid, irreversible decline of his life and illusions. It creates a dreamlike, almost hallucinatory quality, emphasizing his disorientation.
Unreliable Narration and Memory
Neddy's perception of events and his memory are increasingly shown to be untrustworthy.
The narrative perspective is closely tied to Neddy's consciousness, which becomes increasingly unreliable. Neddy initially dismisses subtle hints of change, like the coldness of the water or unfamiliar faces. He struggles to recall past events ('Eric') or acknowledge his financial troubles. This unreliability serves to highlight his deep-seated denial and his inability to confront reality. The reader experiences Neddy's confusion alongside him, until the stark reality of his empty house delivers a shocking, unambiguous truth, shattering his distorted perception.
The Journey as Metaphor
Neddy's physical swim is a metaphor for his life's journey and his confrontation with self.
Neddy's swim home is not merely a physical act but a profound metaphor for his life's journey. What begins as a whimsical adventure quickly transforms into an arduous, increasingly painful descent into self-discovery and despair. Each pool represents a memory, a social connection, or a stage of his life. The 'river Lucinda' he imagines is his attempt to reclaim control and youth, but the journey ultimately strips him of his illusions, forcing him to confront the emptiness and decay that lie beneath the surface of his seemingly perfect existence.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
“He did not remember having ever felt better in his life. The day was beautiful and it seemed to him that a long swim might invigorate him.”
— Ned's initial feeling of well-being and the start of his impulsive journey.
“He was not a strong swimmer, but he was a good one.”
— A subtle distinction about Ned's swimming ability, hinting at his deeper character.
“The water was cold, clammy, and smelled of chlorine. It was a shock, but he was committed.”
— Ned's experience in the first pool, encountering the reality of the water.
“He seemed to hear, at that moment, the sound of his own name being called, faintly, from a great distance.”
— A moment of existential dread or memory during his swim.
“The party was in full swing, but it seemed to him that a chord had been struck, a note of discord.”
— Ned's perception of a party he encounters, sensing an underlying unease.
“He felt a peculiar sense of loss, as if he had mislaid something of great value.”
— Ned's growing feeling of emptiness as his journey progresses.
“The sky was dark, the moon was full, and the air was cold. He shivered.”
— A description of the changing weather and time, mirroring Ned's internal state.
“He realized that he had left his wallet somewhere, or perhaps it had been stolen. He was penniless.”
— A significant turning point where Ned realizes he is without resources.
“He began to feel terribly cold and tired. The euphoria was gone.”
— Ned's physical and emotional decline as he continues his journey.
“He had imagined that he would be greeted with cheers, but there was no one.”
— Ned's arrival at his own home, expecting a welcome that isn't there.
“The house was dark, the windows shuttered. It was empty.”
— Ned's final realization upon reaching his own house.
“He had, in his own mind, swum the length of the county. He had, in fact, swum through his life.”
— A reflective thought on the metaphorical journey Ned has undertaken.
“The leaves were falling, and the air was crisp. It was autumn.”
— A detail highlighting the passage of time and the change of seasons, unnoticed by Ned.
Quiz
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Key Questions (FAQ)
Neddy Merrill, a seemingly affluent man, decides on a whim to 'swim home' across his county by traversing a series of backyard swimming pools. His journey begins on a beautiful summer day, a spontaneous act of joyful athleticism.
About the author
John William Cheever was an American short story writer and novelist. He is sometimes called "the Chekhov of the suburbs". His fiction is mostly set in the Upper East Side of Manhattan; the Westchester suburbs; old New England villages based on various South Shore towns around Quincy, Massachusetts, where he was born; and Italy, especially Rome. His short stories included "The Enormous Radio", "Goodbye, My Brother", "The Five-Forty-Eight", "The Country Husband", and "The Swimmer", and he also wrote five novels: The Wapshot Chronicle , The Wapshot Scandal, Bullet Park (1969), Falconer (1977) and a novella Oh What a Paradise It Seems (1982).
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