Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Scenic" by John Updike captures the picturesque essence of San Francisco through a contemplative and slightly ironic lens. The poem is a wry celebration of the city’s visual charms, articulating both the beauty and the somewhat humorous ubiquity of stunning views in San Francisco. Updike crafts a piece that is both an ode to the city’s landscape and a commentary on the local culture of observation and appreciation.

The poem begins with a playful imperative: "O when in San Francisco do / As natives do; they sit and stare / Amd [and] smile and stare again." This opening sets a leisurely, observant tone, suggesting that to truly experience San Francisco, one must engage in the passive activity of looking, absorbing the city’s scenic beauty. The view, he notes, "Is visible from anywhere," implying both the accessibility of beautiful sights and the omnipresence of scenic vistas in the city’s geography.

Updike then describes the cityscape: "Here hills are white with houses whence, / Across a multitude of sills, / The owners, lucky residents, / See other houses, other hills." This stanza highlights the architectural and topographical layering of San Francisco, where homes are nestled on hills, each with a view that includes more homes on more hills. This arrangement creates a visual network of gazes, where every resident is both observer and observed, part of a communal visual experience.

The poet emphasizes the egalitarian aspect of this scenic experience: "The meanest San Franciscan knows, / No matter what his past has been, / There are a thousand patios / Whose view he is included in." This universality suggests a shared heritage of beauty that transcends individual circumstances, binding the city’s residents together through collective participation in the landscape.

As the poem progresses, Updike enumerates iconic symbols of San Francisco — "The Golden Gate, the cable cars, / Twin Peaks, the Spreckles habitat. / The local ocean, sun and stars" — anchoring the city’s identity in these landmarks. The mention of fog introduces a typical meteorological phenomenon that residents learn to "admire" as part of the city’s charm, further illustrating the adaptability and appreciation of the San Franciscans for their environment.

The concluding stanza brings a twist, noting how "homes are stacked in such a way / That every picture window has / An unmarred prospect of the Bay / And, in its center, Alcatraz." The inclusion of Alcatraz in the vista adds a layer of irony; amidst the beauty of the bay, the infamous prison island serves as a stark, contrasting symbol of confinement and historical notoriety within the panoramic views enjoyed by the residents.

Overall, "Scenic" by John Updike is a nuanced portrayal of San Francisco, blending admiration for its natural and urban beauty with a hint of irony about the ubiquity and even the predictability of its picturesque qualities. The poem invites readers to see beyond the postcard views and appreciate the deeper communal and visual connections that define the city’s character.

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