He might have been compared to a summer's day, particularly the last hours of one, and while he lacked a tennis racket or a sail bag the impression was definitely one of youth, sport, and clement weather." .
Here the reader gets the sense that Neddy is a middle-aged man still clinging to his youthful days. When Neddy decides to swim home by way of his neighbor's pools it seems like an adventurous and crazy yet harmless idea. An idea that one of my friends from high school would consider attempting.
Neddy journeys through many neighbor's swimming pools. He swims strong and confident with "a choppy crawl, breathing either with every stroke or every fourth stroke." Along the way he stops to talk to the Grahams and then is delayed at the Bunker's by a party. As the journey continues Neddy is momentarily delayed by a storm at the Levy's pool. Once the storm ends the reader sees that things have changed. When Neddy reaches the Welcher's pool, it is dry. This discovery makes Neddy feel disappointed and confused. Along with this emotional change Neddy's appearance is also different. Cheever explains Neddy's new appearance as if someone on the outside is looking at him.
"Had you gone for a Sunday afternoon ride that day you might have seen him, close to naked, standing on the shoulders of Route 424, waiting for a chance to cross. You might have wondered if he was the victim of foul play, had his car broken down, or was he merely a fool. Standing barefoot in the deposits of the highway- beer cans, rags, and blowout patches - exposed to all kinds of ridicule, he seemed pitiful." .
This is first time the reader gets the sense that Neddy is no longer on a fun adventure but rather a journey through time. He is not looking youthful anymore but rather disheveled. .
By the time Neddy reaches the Halloran's swimming pool he has aged quite a bit. .
"Beyond the hedge he pulled on his trunks and fastened them.
