Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Exposure" by John Updike explores the mysterious and somewhat eerie connection between photographs and the essence of life they capture. This poem delves into the supernatural—or perhaps psychological—phenomenon where photographs seem to reveal more than just the surface details of their subjects. Through the contemplation of a photograph's power to discern life and death, Updike invites the reader to consider deeper, perhaps metaphysical, layers of human existence.

The poem opens provocatively, with the speaker challenging the dismissal of voodoo, using it as a metaphor for the inexplicable qualities that photographs can exhibit. This challenge sets the tone for exploring the mystical or uncanny ability of photographs to reflect the life status of the person depicted. The speaker insists, "Please do not tell me there is no voodoo," suggesting that there is some inexplicable magic at work in the act of capturing a likeness on film.

Updike focuses on the subtle, often indescribable differences in photographs that indicate whether the subject is alive or deceased: "There is something misted in the eyes, something pale, / If not in the lips, then in the hair— / It is hard to put your finger on, but there." These observations speak to the nuanced changes that occur in a photograph when the subject passes away—changes that are not overt but are nonetheless perceptible to those who look closely. The idea that these changes are "hard to put your finger on" adds to the mystical quality of the phenomenon, suggesting that our senses can perceive truths that are not immediately obvious or explainable.

The concept of a "third dimension" settling in describes the photograph taking on a new depth or quality that was not previously apparent. The terms "A blur, a kiss of otherness, a milky film" enhance this idea, suggesting a transformation in the image that corresponds with the subject’s death. This transformation is almost ghostly, lending the photograph a spectral quality that transcends its two-dimensional nature.

The poem concludes with a hypothetical scenario involving "Aunt Flo," where the speaker claims that a change in the photograph would occur simultaneously with her death: "If, while you hold a snapshot of Aunt Flo, / Her real heart stops, you will know." This claim elevates the photograph from a mere representation to a mystical, almost spiritual connection with the subject’s life force.

"Exposure" invites a contemplation of the boundaries between life and death, the tangible and the supernatural, challenging the reader to consider how certain intangible qualities can manifest in physical forms. Updike’s use of vivid imagery and the intriguing concept of photographs as indicators of life or death create a compelling narrative that blurs the line between reality and the mystical, encouraging a deeper reflection on the connections we perceive and the realities we accept.

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