The Past Possesses the Present In "The Swimmer"

"The Swimmer" is a story of Neddy Merrill and what appears to be just a description of a journey across the country surrounding his home. As the story progresses, you begin to realize that this is the retelling of his life and how he has fallen from his great status. The man used to be strong, rich, powerful, and most importantly he believed he was much better off than his neighbors. Isn't this what everyone strives for is to be better than the man standing next them? It feels good to see physical evidence that you are in fact better than other people. This physical evidence can come in several forms like wealth, looks, body physique, property, and several other areas of our life. I mean without this, how are we supposed to know who is the best? How are we to know who has "made it"? It seems like this has been a reoccurring theme in history that has brought cities to ruins and death to an absurd amount of people. The mere jealousy of others leads people to make irrational decisions, all for what? Some status amongst their peers?

If you relate this theme back to "The Iliad" you can see that Homer's themes outline some of this story. Paris has to have the most beautiful woman in all the land. Agamemnon has to have the most land and conquer Troy simply for the fame of conquering Troy. Achilles has to be known as a great warrior and fights even though he knows it is prophesized that he will die in the battle. The theme continues with other characters and there is this constant battle spurred out of lust for women, land, and fame. Similarly, Neddy felt that he had attained more than his neighbors and would even go as far to refuse invitations to their houses.

If you fast forward from ancient times to Europe in 1939 you find a very similar theme. Hitler begins marching his way across the world to make Germany the most powerful force on the planet. He segregates those of "lesser" status and purposely leaves millions of casualties in the rubble. All of this death and destruction was in the pursuit of power and the "Arian" race. The thirst to be the best has provided a toxic potion, and people fall for the allure of its taste in any day and era. Society's members continue to make the same mistakes over and over, when in reality they should reach for humility and contentment.

I believe Dale Wimbrow envelops this theme in his famous poem "The Man in the Glass." One section that demonstrates how life should be lived states,
"When you get what you want in your struggle for self,
And the world makes you King for a day,
Just go to the mirror and look at yourself,
And see what that man has to say."
This simple stanza says that at the end of the day, at the end of your life, the only person's opinion that matters is your own. The past even possesses the present in this poem with the metaphor of a "King" and how some days you feel like royalty with all the power of the world. The idea of a King goes back to ancient times and has always been a sought after position of great power and control. However, whether you become a "King" or not you must remain true to your values and beliefs. If you cheat your way through life with deceit, betrayal, and selfishness you will be awarded a final reward of "heartaches and tears."

Another way the past possesses the present in this story is through "The Odyssey." Neddy takes on this journey home that symbolizes Odysseus' journey home from the war. As Neddy travels through the countryside he realizes "that the hospitable customs and traditions of the natives would have to be handled with diplomacy if he was ever going to reach his destination." This emulates Odysseus and how he had to face several challenges on his way home including accommodating to the customs of all the foreign lands he entered. Also, as their journeys continue they grow tired and weaker which symbolizes the passing of years of their life. They used to be strong and powerful, but as they continue to travel the adversity and challenges begin to physically wear on their bodies and minds.

The past is evident throughout this story in several other ways, and just like all literature it shows how the past and mythology is present in all stories.