John Updike
Poet and novelist John Updike wrote his poem “Marching Through a Novel” on the unfolding of his characters in the writing process. He illustrates to the reader the complex relationship he maintains with each of his written figures. Throughout the poem, Updike conveys the God-like (intimate) and authoritarian relationship with his characters through the use of poetic devices.
Updike begins his poem with introducing himself as an intimate “God” to his characters. He states that with the beginning of each new day his characters will “greet [him] with misty faces” giving him “instant obedience” in order to continue the day. This imagery helps the reader visualize the trust for Updike that the characters have along with the resignation they have …show more content…
He explains how they reach out for Updike to put the “handcuffs of contrivance” on their “skeletal arms” having them bend to his will. This use of visual imagery allows the reader to obtain a greater picture of Updike’s absolute control of his characters. The two lines also express a somber tone offering up to the reader the idea that while Updike, well aware of the repercussions of his treatment of his characters, offers no solution in how to fix the problem or it seems as if this is the only option in the writing process. Updike often uses the term “Forward” in his poem to further enhance his portrayal of an authoritarian figure. “Forward is my order” explains Updike as he continues to elicit his characters into submission in hopes for them to become as great as he wished for. He uses this sort of strident diction to further intensify the portrait of himself as an imperious leader to his fictional creations. The poem contains an extended metaphor for comparing the writing process conducted by Updike as a war. He illustrates himself as “their general and quartermaster” not only enhancing the image of authority but also connecting to the extended metaphor. Done so by adding to the effect of the characters listening to Updike fully and by connecting to the idea of war as they “march” and they “fall forgotten in the trenchwork” as would soldiers in
Updike begins his poem with introducing himself as an intimate “God” to his characters. He states that with the beginning of each new day his characters will “greet [him] with misty faces” giving him “instant obedience” in order to continue the day. This imagery helps the reader visualize the trust for Updike that the characters have along with the resignation they have …show more content…
He explains how they reach out for Updike to put the “handcuffs of contrivance” on their “skeletal arms” having them bend to his will. This use of visual imagery allows the reader to obtain a greater picture of Updike’s absolute control of his characters. The two lines also express a somber tone offering up to the reader the idea that while Updike, well aware of the repercussions of his treatment of his characters, offers no solution in how to fix the problem or it seems as if this is the only option in the writing process. Updike often uses the term “Forward” in his poem to further enhance his portrayal of an authoritarian figure. “Forward is my order” explains Updike as he continues to elicit his characters into submission in hopes for them to become as great as he wished for. He uses this sort of strident diction to further intensify the portrait of himself as an imperious leader to his fictional creations. The poem contains an extended metaphor for comparing the writing process conducted by Updike as a war. He illustrates himself as “their general and quartermaster” not only enhancing the image of authority but also connecting to the extended metaphor. Done so by adding to the effect of the characters listening to Updike fully and by connecting to the idea of war as they “march” and they “fall forgotten in the trenchwork” as would soldiers in