Leander’s Absurdity in John Cheever’s The Wapshot Chronicle

Abstract

The study aims at analyzing 1) the absurdity portrayed by Leander, the main character, in John Cheever’s The Wapshot Chronicle; and 2) the final result of such absurdity. The qualitative method is used, and the findings are presented in the form of a descriptive analysis. The study shows that certain characteristics of absurdity such as stupidity, ridiculousness, and irrationality as well as meaninglessness and hopelessness are presented through the character of Leander especially when he loses the boat Topaze of which he is the captain. The study also finds that the absurdity is presented twice. For the first time, it is seen when the boat Topaze is put up for sale but does not get sold. For the second time, the absurdity is portrayed when the Topaze is transformed from a boat whose main duty is carrying passengers from a fishing village to a small island into a gift shop whose duty is just selling small things. The second loss of the Topaze and the celebration of the new gift shop lead Leander to drown himself in the sea. It can be concluded that such circumstances of absurdity lead Leander to death, the final result of his life.