Cheever

A detailed Summary of Cheever

Themes of Old Age in Cheever's Short Stories

The stories of John Cheever have many similar themes. In Cheever's stories; "O

Youth and Beauty" and "The Swimmer", one of the most prevalent themes is the quest

for youth. The main character in each of these stories experience similar characteristics.

They are both middle aged men going through life trying to demonstrate to the people

around them that they are still the young, strong and athletic people they once were.

In the story, "O Youth and Beauty", Cash Bentley is described as a man of about

forty with thinning hair. He enjoyed boasting about being known in the town for running

hurdling races as a way to impress his friends. "An old track star, he was never

aggressive of tiresome about his brilliant past". After graduating, he was offered a job at

the college he had attended, but decided to turn it down because he "realized that part of

his life had ended". It is apparent that Cash still takes pride in his college days, that is the

full reason he is continuing to run these races at parties. He is trying to recreate the track

Later in the story Cash suffers from a broken leg as a result of running one of his

the first signs of his declining youth. He is becoming less

might to his youth and his successful college years.

man. These women what nothing to do with him.

the young man he originally thought he was. This journey may be too much for his body

Cash then goes on to encounter scenes and images of death. "He noticed the faded

from the hospital the character begins his decline and enters a mid life crisis situation.

Approximate Word count = 1132
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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