Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Vermont" by John Updike is a vivid and contemplative poem that paints a complex portrait of Vermont, capturing its natural beauty, its economic challenges, and the impact of both seasonal and permanent changes on its landscape and inhabitants. Updike uses a series of striking images and contrasts to explore the interplay between nature and human activity in this rural setting.

The poem begins with the declaration, "Here green is king again," immediately setting the scene of Vermont's lush, verdant landscapes. However, this regal greenery is described as "Usurping honest men," suggesting a tension between the natural environment and the people who live within it. This line hints at the difficulties faced by those trying to make a living in such a beautiful yet challenging terrain, perhaps displaced or overshadowed by the dominance of nature.

Updike continues with a powerful metaphor, likening the scene to "Brazilian cathedrals gone under to creepers," evoking images of grand structures overtaken by natural forces. This comparison deepens the theme of nature's overwhelming power, with "Gray silos mourn their keepers," further personifying the agricultural landmarks as lamenting their lost purpose and the farmers who once tended them.

The economic reality of Vermont's landscape is captured in the juxtaposition of "ski tows / And shy cows," which pin "the ragged slopes to the earth / Of profitable worth." This imagery reflects the dual reliance on agriculture and tourism, particularly skiing, as staples of Vermont's economy. The phrasing suggests a fragile balance between using the land for income and the risk of exploiting it, with the natural environment barely holding on to its economic value.

Updike then shifts focus to the temporary residents of Vermont, "Hawks, professors, / And summering ministers," who are depicted as roosting on the mountainsides. This elite group, likely drawn by the state's scenic and tranquil qualities, is portrayed as detached observers of the local "poverty" who "sniff the poetry." This line implies a somewhat superficial engagement with the state’s aesthetic and cultural offerings, without a deeper connection to its socioeconomic realities.

The poem concludes with a foreboding image of "The big black bear," a symbol of wild, untamed nature that "Slavering through the woods with scrolling mouth, / Comes further south." This annual migration of the bear represents a natural cycle, but its movement towards more populated areas could be seen as a sign of environmental pressures or changing habitats. It serves as a potent metaphor for the encroachment of the wild on human spaces, or vice versa, highlighting the ongoing and dynamic interaction between humans and nature in Vermont.

Overall, "Vermont" by John Updike eloquently captures the state’s natural majesty and its complexities. The poem weaves together themes of displacement, economic survival, and the beauty of the natural world, offering a nuanced reflection on the place and its people. Updike’s use of rich imagery and thoughtful contrasts makes this a profound and layered piece, inviting readers to consider the deeper narratives that lie beneath Vermont’s picturesque surface.

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