John Cheever (1912-82) is renowned for his impactful contributions to American short fiction, capturing the complexities of suburban life in a unique and, at times, surreal manner. His anthology,
Collected Stories, spans an impressive 900 pages and contains works that shift from realism to magical realism, often revealing hidden truths about American society.
Summary of The Worm in the Apple
Cheever’s short story
‘The Worm in the Apple’ focuses on the seemingly perfect Crutchman family, a suburban American household that the narrator scrutinizes to uncover any concealed flaws. The title hints at the desire to find hidden imperfections or the proverbial
"worm in the apple" beneath their idyllic lifestyle. Through this satirical lens, Cheever critiques the
1950s American ideal of domestic bliss, suggesting a facade of perfection that often masked deeper issues.
- Setting and Characters: The story unfolds in the affluent suburban neighborhood of Shady Hill. The Crutchmans—Larry, his wife Helen, and their children Rachel and Tom—appear to epitomize the ideal family with a well-maintained home and an enviable lifestyle.
- Search for Flaws: The narrator digs into the Crutchmans' lives, examining their wealth, home decor, and Larry's reliance on his wife's financial assets. Despite expectations, there is no apparent discord between Larry and Helen, nor any issues with their children that would indicate hidden conflicts.
- Narrative Shift: As the narrator’s attempts to find a "worm" in the Crutchmans’ life prove futile, his inquiries become increasingly imaginative. He speculates on future problems their children might encounter, reflecting his growing desperation to uncover hidden turmoil.
Ultimately, the narrator concedes that the Crutchman family continues to live happily without any obvious discontent. Despite intense scrutiny, the Crutchmans remain unfazed and mysterious, leaving the narrator (and reader) to question why humans often feel compelled to find flaws in others, especially in those who seem to have attained happiness.
Analysis of The Worm in the Apple
‘The Worm in the Apple’ explores the all-too-common obsession with uncovering flaws in others. Cheever’s story delves beyond this simple premise, raising questions about human nature, judgment, and the concept of true happiness.
- The Narrator’s Role: The narrator is not a mere neighbor jealous of the Crutchmans’ success. Instead, the story employs a third-person narrator who observes the family with a seemingly objective yet probing eye. This choice invites readers to question whether the narrator’s suspicions are universally valid or are simply a projection of his own dissatisfaction with the Crutchmans’ contentment.
- Suspicion of Happiness: The Crutchmans' happiness is so overt that it naturally invites doubt. In modern society, true contentment is often viewed with skepticism, leading individuals to search for flaws in others. Here, Cheever critiques the way society—especially in the context of post-war America—portrayed domestic life as perfect, often ignoring real issues and imperfections.
- The “Worm” as Emotional Detachment: A deeper analysis reveals that the Crutchmans’ flaw may be their lack of emotional response to adversity. Their son's near-death experience from pneumonia seems to have left no lasting emotional impact on them. This detachment can be perceived as unnatural or even pathological, suggesting that the true “worm” may be their inability to confront life’s hardships.
Cheever’s storytelling techniques and use of an omniscient, third-person narrator allow the story to transcend simple jealousy or envy. By keeping the Crutchmans’ perspective hidden, the narrative avoids revealing whether they are truly happy or simply adept at maintaining appearances. This ambiguity serves as a commentary on societal expectations, questioning whether happiness is something one can truly possess or merely project for others to see.
Conclusion
In
‘The Worm in the Apple’, Cheever presents readers with a reflection on human nature, highlighting how society’s skepticism often distorts the way happiness is perceived. The Crutchmans may genuinely be content, yet the narrator’s desire to find flaws unveils the discomfort we feel with others' perfection. By revealing the pitfalls of our own judgments and insecurities, Cheever’s story resonates as a timeless meditation on society's inclination to question and criticize what it doesn’t fully understand.
