“The Swimmer” by John Cheever
Initiating Action: Neddy, our narrator, decides to swim home through the backyard pools of people he knows.
Crisis: When Neddy notices a “for-sale” sign in the Welcher’s yard and having no recollection of them moving, the first moment he realizes that his memory is lost.
The Climax: When Neddy is swimming back home, the storm that rolls in; leaving him feeling cold and at his weakest he’s felt during this entire journey.
Denouement: When Neddy finally arrives home and finds his family gone.
Exposition: We learn more through the people Neddy interacts with and the details of the backyards he’s exploring.
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