Analysis: Telephone Poles By John Updike

Kelly Lynch
November 16, 2015
AP Literature
Hersker
Metaphor Essay Some believe that it is easiest to believe that things mean precisely what they appear to on the surface; however, to understand the world and thoughts of others in a more profound way, it is necessary to accept the fact that things may not always be just as they seem. This same attitude must be adopted when reading poetry. One poem in particular that exemplifies this is John Updike’s “Telephone Poles”. Within the work, telephone poles are compared to trees by way of extended metaphor. “Telephone Poles” conveys the message that when nature is destroyed to make way for technology is harmful to nature itself and humankind as well by using an extended metaphor; this is
For example, on lines five and six he presents the simile that “[telephone poles] blend along small-town streets/ Like a race of giants that have faded into mere mythology” (Updike 5-6). This illustrates that while they were once regarded as spectacular—and perhaps even ‘magical’ due to the reference to mythical creatures—they are now merely a common part of the environment. Therefore, this also serves to depict their physically overwhelming but rather emotionally underwhelming presence within the modern world. Furthermore, Updike later compares telephone poles to another mythical race by using the metaphor that telephone poles are “[...] weathered encrustations of electrical debris/ Each a Gorgon’s head, which, seized right,/ Could stun us to stone” (Updike 11-13). In Greek mythology, a gorgon is a hideous, woman-like creature with snakes for hair that possesses the power to turn whoever they wish to stone simply by looking at them. In literature,—specifically, in the story of Perseus—they are portrayed as evil and dangerous; therefore, it can be surmised that Updike included this metaphor with the intention of persuading the reader to view telephone poles in this same light. This is a rational deduction in that it directly supports the meaning of the poem as a whole. Both these comparative technique examples illustrate
A prime example of this is in lines nineteen to twenty when he remarks that “[t]he Nature of our construction is in every way/ A better fit than the Nature it displaces” (Updike 19-20). While this statement is clearly ridiculous, it holds within it a grain of truth. As the message of the poem is one that is overtly pro-nature, it is obvious that the poet does not truly believe what he has written in the literal sense. However, when taken sarcastically, it comes to light that his words are actually meant to mock those who would believe them to be true. Furthermore, the poet poses this rhetorical question: “What other tree can you climb where the birds’ twitter, Unscrambled, is English?” (Updike 21-22) Much like the first example within this paragraph, when taken from a sarcastic perspective, it is clear that Updike’s purpose in using this line is to point out the flaws within society, and, more specifically, those who undervalue nature and overvalue the