Learning To SwimBy Tristan and Joanna

This short story is about Mr and Mrs Singleton’s secretly unhappy marriage. Mr Singleton is determined to teach their son how to swim in Cornwall when they’re on a holiday as he has a passion for the water.

Summary

Watching from the shore, Mrs Singleton contemplates her past and out of spite of her husband, doesn’t want her son to learn how to swim.

Their son is consequently caught up with trying to please both of his parents and instead of swimming into his fathers arms or leaving the water altogether, he swims off in another direction.

We enjoyed this story most out of the stories in the Book of the Beach. This is clear because it had a clear deep psychological message behind it and that it focuses on the key issues of relationships in modern times.

Personal reflection

Relationships Principles Love Honesty

Views & values

Graham Swift was born in London in 1949. This story is set in the 1970’s and written in 1982

Graham Swift grew up in the 1970’s (he was in his 20’s)

Mr & Mrs Singleton are a young married couple with a child named Paul

Context

Similes: “He was like a punisher, administering lashes.” page 11

“Below him the yellow helmets of workers moved over the girders for the roadway like beetles.” page 15

Metaphor: “…that you too became a hot, basking rock.” page 9

“…you had to let the sun make love to you.” page 12

Literary techniques

Imagery: “She lay on her back, eyes closed, on the coarse sand of the beach in Cornwall. It was hot, and if she opened her eyes, the sky was clear blue.” page 11

This story outlines common relationship problems which often occur between young couples. Through the use of literary techniques such as similes, metaphors and the use of short and direct language, Graham Swift pieced together a work of literature which allows the reader to realize the importance of a strong and healthy relationship.

Overall interpretation