Mrs. Graham Character Analysis

As Neddy swims across the county, he emerges into the backyard of Mrs. Graham (one of his more distant neighbors) to swim through her pool. Mrs. Graham greets Neddy by exclaiming “what a marvelous surprise” in a way that feels insincere. In that way, she’s similar to Mrs. Bunker, both of whom embody the social affectations that Cheever suggests are typical among suburban residents. While Neddy is in Mrs. Graham’s backyard, two “carloads of friends” arrive, setting the tone that suburban life is mostly about entertaining.