Neddy Merrill, the main character in John Cheever's "The Swimmer" is one of the most unique characters in literature to analyze. While many, including Rose in her post on the story, suggest that Ned is swimming to escape his problems and re-present himself to society as a legendary figure, I believe that it is the total opposite.
I maintain that it is evident by the plot of the story that Ned is not swimming away from the harshness of reality, but rather straight toward reality's blunt force. For example, as the story develops, Ned's realization about his situation becomes more and more evident to all involved - the reader, those around Ned, and Neddy himself. If it were truly the case that his swimming were a sign of his furthering alcoholism, the Ned's fantasy world would continue and persist. Rather, the oppoiste occurs. The cold (figuraetively and literally) reality sets in more and more with each pool passed along the journey. Only after this journey is complete does Ned realize fully the negative repercussins that his problems have had on his life. He is not a decorated neighbor as he desired to become at the outset of his swim. Rather, he thoughts for the very first time seem sober and clear, and reality (for better or worse) wins out over fiction.
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