Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Daughter" by John Updike, a simple yet poignant domestic scene unfolds, blending dream and reality into a moment of startling intimacy between father and daughter. The poem begins with the speaker awakened from a dream, one that already involves cats, hinting at the subconscious mixing with the tangible world. The awakening is caused not by the dream but by a real presence — a cat-like form by the bedside, described with vivid imagery: "squarish, immense-eyed, still."

This nocturnal visitor, with its "shining hair" and whiskers that "pricked" the speaker's lips, triggers a scream — a primal reaction to the unexpected. The scream, in turn, frightens the speaker's daughter, whose reaction mirrors her father's, but is influenced by her youthful perception and vulnerability. The father's immediate response to his daughter's cry reflects a swift emotional pivot from his own fear to a protective instinct.

The revelation comes in the final lines, where the speaker realizes that his daughter, though young and seemingly delicate ("only four, all skin and smiles"), embodies the strength and majesty of a lioness. This comparison elevates the child from mere vulnerability to possessing a latent, powerful animal grace, unseen but palpable.

Updike uses this moment of nocturnal confusion and fear to underscore a deeper connection and recognition between father and daughter. The imagery of the cat serves as a transformative agent, revealing the daughter's inner strength and the father's deep-seated awe and protective love for her. The poem thus captures the complexities of parental perception, where children are seen as both vulnerable and surprisingly formidable, and where love is a mix of fear, protection, and profound respect for the emerging individuality of one's offspring.

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