Themes and message
The main themes of the short story “The Swimmer” by S.J. Butler are liberation (freedom) and man versus nature. The author’s message is that people tend to forget or discard their connection with nature and disrespect it. Furthermore, the story suggests that society sometimes confines and limits people’s potential and nature can help people rediscover it. The swan reminds us that there are beauty and value in all of us.…
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Liberation
The theme of liberation is explored in the short story through the protagonist and the swan. This is done mostly through symbolism. Initially, the protagonist is confined to her job at her desk indoors in unbearable heat. Her first step to liberation is to leave her office and go for a swim in the river. Because she fears the potential dangers of the river, the act of swimming also becomes liberating of her fears and anxieties. These explicit acts can be interpreted as symbolic of…
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Man versus nature
The theme of man versus nature is mostly explored through the setting and the plot of the short story. Elements which represent humans and human activity are the character and the fishermen, the character’s office and the nylon fishing lines in the water. The confined space of …
