Ned Merrill is the protagonist of John Cheever's short story "The Swimmer", which was later expanded into a novel.

John Cheever wrote the short story "The Swimmer" in 1964, which was later expanded into a novel.

In "The Swimmer", the swimming pools that Ned Merrill encounters hold multiple layers of significance, representing his social status, symbolizing his journey through life, and acting as a metaphor for his inner turmoil.

George Wilson is a mechanic in "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Jay Gatsby builds a swimming pool called "The Crystal Pool" in his mansion in "The Great Gatsby".

Santiago is the name of the old fisherman in Ernest Hemingway's novella "The Old Man and the Sea".

Santiago catches a marlin in "The Old Man and the Sea".

Eric Sachs is the character who is having an affair with Ned Merrill's wife in "The Swimmer".

Myrtle Wilson is the character who drowns in the swimming pool in "The Great Gatsby".

Manolin is the name of the boy who helps Santiago in "The Old Man and the Sea".

Donald Westerhazy is the character who is Ned Merrill's neighbor in "The Swimmer".

Nick Carraway is the narrator of the story in "The Great Gatsby".

Santiago catches a marlin in "The Old Man and the Sea".

Lucinda Merrill is the name of Ned Merrill's wife in "The Swimmer".

Daisy Buchanan is the object of Jay Gatsby's affections in "The Great Gatsby".