Seymour "Swede" Levov is a fictional character from the novel American Pastoral by Philip Roth. He is portrayed as a successful Jewish businessman in post-World War II America, known for his idealized life and seemingly perfect family. Swede is a former high school athlete and is admired for his physical appearance and charm. As the story unfolds, Swede's life takes a dramatic turn when his daughter, Merry Levov, becomes involved in a violent act of political protest. This event challenges Swede's beliefs and forces him to confront the complexities of his family's dynamics and the societal changes of the time.