"Swimming Lessons" by Rohinton Mistry is a poignant and thought-provoking short story that explores themes of family, identity, and cultural differences. The story is narrated by a young Indian boy named Nariman, who is struggling to come to terms with his own cultural identity and the expectations placed upon him by his family and society.
The story begins with Nariman's mother, Coomy, enrolling him in swimming lessons at the local pool. Nariman is hesitant to participate, as he is self-conscious about his body and feels out of place among the other children at the pool. However, he eventually decides to go through with the lessons and begins to enjoy the feeling of freedom and accomplishment that comes with learning to swim.
As Nariman continues to attend his swimming lessons, he becomes friends with a boy named Yezad, who comes from a different cultural background. Yezad is also struggling with his own sense of identity and belonging, and the two boys bond over their shared experiences and challenges.
Despite their friendship, Nariman and Yezad are constantly reminded of the cultural differences that separate them. Nariman's family is traditional and conservative, and they have high expectations for him to follow in his father's footsteps and become a lawyer. On the other hand, Yezad's family is more liberal and encourages him to pursue his own interests and passions.
As the story progresses, Nariman begins to question the expectations placed upon him by his family and society, and he starts to wonder if there might be other paths in life that would bring him more happiness and fulfillment. He also grapples with the idea of cultural assimilation, wondering if he should try to fit in with the dominant culture or if he should embrace his own cultural identity.
In the end, "Swimming Lessons" is a powerful and thought-provoking story that touches on important themes of family, identity, and cultural differences. It highlights the difficulties and challenges that can arise when we try to balance the expectations of others with our own sense of self and our own dreams and aspirations.
