The Effects Alcoholism Can Have on One's Life in movie The Swimmer

As “The Swimmer” comes to an open you wonder what you are getting into. You have made up scenarios before getting through the first paragraph. The opening line “It was one of those midsummer Sundays when everyone sits around saying,” I drank too much last night.” This opening statement sets me up to believe that he was an alcoholic. I came to this conclusion because I grew up in an alcoholic household. It wasn’t just Sunday’s that they woke up hungover, it was every day. And as for Ned the digression in the story and the spiraling down that happens just tied it all together. As stated by author William Belden “The Swimmer” reveals the physical and emotional damage of alcoholism reflected through the time taking place as Neddy’s journey progresses.” I couldn’t agree more with this statement.

Alcoholism for Ned did not start too bad. It starts with him just relaxing and drinking at the pool. This when Ned comes up with the adventure if you must, to swim through the neighborhood while making his journey home. Ned is drinking, so he is not a teenager and he owns a home so he is well matured into his age. Why is he allowing himself to go on what it seems to be a big-time commitment of an adventure? Does he not have work? Where is his family? This is where the red flags start to go up regarding his emotional damage as a result of his drinking. But it cannot be proven just yet, only an assumption with some evidence to support.

The story continues to move on rapidly as Neddy begins his journey down the Lucinda River, named after his wife. As he makes his way through the first couple of friend's houses, it seems that everything is just fine. The disappointments are very minimal, so they do not cause me, the reader or Ned any inconveniences. Despite the disappointments are minor that does not mean that the story is not heating up and growing to be something a bit more dramatic and real.

During this opening journey, Ned is drinking every place that he goes and swimming. He is getting sloppier and more emotional as the story goes on. Leading into the second half, which I believe begins when he comes to the house of the Welchers and is greeted by an empty, drained pool and a for sale sign in the front of their yard. He then starts to question his memory and I believe that he comes to his first realization that his memories are being repressed by the unpleasant facts that have shaped his sense of the truth. He quickly snaps out of it as he hears the sound of cheering from a tennis game nearby.

It seems at this point that the story can slide into a glacial pace, it picks up. The obstacles become harder for Ned and his alcoholism begins to deteriorate rapidly. He is met at the intersection where we are seeing him for the first time becoming pitiful and vulnerable. This is his alcoholism taking control of his body and mind. He begins to run into friends that explain to him how he has failed as a father and husband. Until he finally makes it to his home and it is empty and up for sale.

Alcoholism for Ned within the story takes a drastic turn and his worst nightmares are met head-on, one right after the other. He has swum through everyone’s pools, his clothes are dingy and he has no shoes. He must have been swimming in the pools while intoxicated. His body becomes tired and his mind plays tricks on him. He does not remember a thing.