It could also be about self - discovery. The act of swimming upstream forces the character to confront their own limits and capabilities. Maybe the protagonist in 'Swimming Upstream' embarks on a journey that is not easy, but through this arduous process, they learn more about who they are and what they truly want.
In some stories, there could be a group of characters involved in the 'upstream' journey together. So it's possible that in 'Swimming Upstream' there is a collective of characters with different personalities and motives, all united by the common goal of going against the flow.
The main theme could be about transformation. Just like how people change when they are in a new environment like a swimming pool. They might overcome their fears, like the fear of water, which represents a transformation in their character.
Another theme could be pride. The participants in the contest might be driven by their pride, either to prove themselves or to uphold their honor. In the story, their actions and decisions during the contest could be influenced by this sense of pride.
There might also be a coach or a trainer character. This person could play an important role in preparing the swimmers for the contest, providing guidance and motivation. They could also influence the swimmers' performance and their mental state during the competition.
I'm not sure as I haven't read this specific short story. But generally, it might be about the experiences of women in the context of a swimming pool, perhaps their relationships, self - discovery, or some events that take place there.
The competition aspect in a swimming short story can be very engaging. The build - up to a race, the strategies used by the swimmers, and the final outcome. Also, the description of the water, how it feels against the skin, and the sense of freedom or struggle in the water makes for interesting reading.
As I'm not aware of the '1408 short story', it's difficult to determine the main theme. It could potentially be about isolation if it's set in a single location like room 1408. Maybe it's about the psychological state of a character who is in that particular place. But without more information, it's all speculation.
I have no idea when the short story 'Swimming' was written. Maybe you can search on literary review websites or ask experts in the field.
In a swimming lessons short story plot, there could be an adult who decides to learn to swim for fitness reasons. They start from scratch, feeling clumsy in the water. But as they progress through the lessons, they discover a new passion for swimming. They also learn about water safety and the different strokes. By the end of the story, they are swimming regularly and feeling healthier and more confident.
Not having read the story, I can only guess. There might be a woman who has some sort of problem or goal related to the pool, like she's trying to overcome an injury by swimming. And there could be other women around her, some supportive, some not so much, who together form the main characters of the story.