Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Seagulls" by John Updike is a beautifully crafted and richly detailed poem that delves into the nature of seagulls, blending keen observation with philosophical musing. The poem is divided into distinct sections that each explore different facets of the seagulls' existence and appearance, while also subtly commenting on human life and our perceptions of the natural world.

The poem begins with a detailed physical description of a seagull, highlighting its somewhat ungainly and makeshift appearance. Updike notes the bird's "fluffy chest seems filled with an inexpensive taxidermist's material," suggesting a kind of haphazard or careless construction. The gull’s legs are described as "childish crayon strokes—too simple to be workable," and even its feathers lack the "intricate symmetry" typically admired in birds. This initial portrayal paints the seagull as a creature almost clumsily thrown together, with the humorous suggestion that "God makes too many to make them very well."

Updike then shifts to consider the intelligence of seagulls, ironically linking their perceived ugliness with assumed cleverness. The description of their appearance—“the sardonic one-eyed profile, slightly cross, the narrow, ectomorphic head, badly combed”—caricatures them in almost human terms, imbuing the birds with a brooding, intellectual persona. Updike humorously imagines them engaged in human activities: calculating "shipping rates by day, Schopenhauer by night, and endless coffee," thus anthropomorphizing the gulls into creatures of existential contemplation and bureaucratic drudgery.

The poem’s tone shifts in the third stanza, as Updike reflects on the behavior of the gulls at a particular time on the beach. Here, the imagery becomes more atmospheric and poignant. The gulls, standing in the sand as the day cools and flies begin to bite, are compared to "melancholy European crowds... in the wake of assassinations and invasions." This powerful metaphor elevates the birds from their earlier comic portrayal to symbols of collective anxiety and historical sorrow, their gathering evocative of human crowds bound together in crisis.

Finally, the poem concludes with a scene of young couples at the beach, juxtaposing their human behaviors and emotions with the presence of the gulls. As these couples navigate through their intimate, perhaps unknowable secrets, they move through the "scattering gulls" with a divine nonchalance reminiscent of "beautiful gods" indifferent to mortal concerns. This closing image serves as a poignant contrast between the mundane, sometimes clumsy realities of human and seagull life and the sublime, unattainable ideal of godlike grace and indifference.

Overall, "Seagulls" is a thoughtful and multi-layered poem that uses the motif of seagulls to explore themes of imperfection, intelligence, existential angst, and the human condition. Updike’s use of vivid, evocative imagery and his playful yet incisive tone create a rich tapestry that invites readers to reflect on the complexity of life, both human and avian.

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