The Swimmer
by John Cheever

The Swimmer: Situational Irony 1 key example

Situational Irony
Explanation and Analysis—Neddy’s Journey:

The situational irony at the heart of “The Swimmer” is the fact that the simple and lighthearted endeavor Neddy embarks on at the beginning of the story—to swim his way home through his suburban community over the course of a summer afternoon—ends up being a devastating and life-changing experience.