Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Fellatio" by John Updike is a poem that delves into the intimate and private acts between lovers, juxtaposing the public persona of "clean secretaries" with their private sexual experiences. Updike uses this intimate act as a metaphor to explore themes of nature, fertility, and the transformative power of sexual acts in shaping inner landscapes.

The poem begins with a contemplative tone, expressing a sense of beauty in the thought of these women engaging in an act of intimacy that is deeply personal and private. The phrase "How beautiful to think" suggests a sense of wonder and appreciation for the contrast between their daytime roles and their nighttime activities. This opening sets the stage for a deeper exploration of the dichotomy between public appearance and private reality.

The act of fellatio is described in almost reverential terms, likened to "a fountain into her mouth." This image is powerful and evocative, transforming a sexual act into a symbol of vitality and life. The fountain is not just a source of pleasure but also a wellspring of creativity and fertility, as suggested by the subsequent imagery.

The transformation within the women during this act is depicted through lush, vibrant imagery of nature: "her insides, drenched with seed, flower into her landscapes." This metaphorical blooming suggests a blossoming of the self, an inner flourishing that contrasts starkly with the mundane exterior presented to the outside world. Updike's choice of "landscapes" encompasses a wide array of natural scenes, each rich with symbolic meaning.

The detailed natural imagery that follows further expands on this theme. The landscapes are described in terms that evoke growth and fecundity: "meadows sprinkled with baby's breath, hoarse twiggy woods, birds dipping, a multitude of skies containing clouds, plowed earth stinking of its upturned humus." Each element of this inner landscape is teeming with life and dynamic energy, suggesting that the sexual act nourishes and revitalizes the women's inner worlds.

The mention of "small farms each with a silver silo" at the end of the poem ties the sexual act back to themes of storage, preservation, and potential growth. Silos are used to store grain for future use, symbolizing the preservation of vitality and the potential for future nourishment and growth. This image serves as a powerful conclusion to the poem, encapsulating the idea that the intimate acts of the night store energy and potential that sustain and enrich the inner lives of the women.

Overall, "Fellatio" is a complex and layered poem that uses the intimate act as a lens to explore themes of nature, fertility, and the hidden depths of individual experience. Updike's use of rich, evocative imagery transforms the act into a poetic meditation on the secret nourishment of the self that occurs below the surface of everyday appearances.

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