Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"February 22" by John Updike delves into the complex narrative of American identity and leadership through a reflective consideration of George Washington, whose birthday is commemorated on this date. Updike interweaves the imagery of a mild winter day with broader meditations on Washington's legacy, creating a layered examination of historical memory and its impact on national consciousness.

The poem begins with a vivid snapshot: "Three boys, American, in dungarees, walk at a slant across the street against the mild slant of the winter sun, moseying out this small, still holiday." This scene sets a tone of casual Americanness, emphasizing both the ordinariness and the iconic nature of the moment. The boys, dressed in quintessentially American attire, embody a relaxed freedom, mirroring the "mild slant of the winter sun" in their leisurely gait. This opening captures a sense of paused time—a moment of reflection enabled by the holiday.

As Updike describes the seasonal transition with "The back of the cold is broken; later snows will follow, mixed with rain," he subtly suggests a parallel to historical cycles of struggle and renewal. The imagery of a breaking cold and the anticipation of mixed weather reflect the turbulence and eventual thawing in American history, much like the revolutionary changes brought about under Washington’s leadership.

The core of the poem shifts to consider Washington himself, described as "a perfect hero: a man of stone, as colorless as a monument, anonymous as Shakespeare." This characterization speaks to the mythologized version of Washington, an emblematic figure carved into national memory like a statue, distant and somewhat dehumanized by his own monumental legacy. Updike's assertion that "We know him only as the author of his deeds" emphasizes how Washington’s persona has been distilled to a series of historic actions, overshadowing the man behind them.

Updike further explores the tension between the man and the myth with "He was a perfect hero," challenging the narrative simplifications that often accompany historical figures. The mention of "a surveyor, a wencher, a temper, a stubborn farmer's mind" hints at a more complex, flawed human being behind the iconography, suggesting that the legends and accolades might feel like "impertinent graffiti scratched upon his polished granite."

Washington's omnipresence on the dollar bill is noted with a touch of irony: "He gazes at us from our dollar bills reproachfully, a strange green lady, heavy-lidded, niggle-lipped, and wigged, who served us better than we have deserved." Updike's transformation of Washington’s image into a "strange green lady" plays on the visual quirks of currency design and the odd, almost surreal nature of seeing a historical figure's face so frequently and mundanely.

Updike contrasts Washington with Lincoln, stating, "More than great successes, we love great failures. Lincoln is Messiah; he, merely Caesar." This comparison underlines a cultural preference for tragic figures over those whose success may overshadow their personal sacrifices, further complicating how Americans perceive their heroes.

The concluding lines of the poem, "But let us love him now, for he crossed the famous ice, brought us out of winter, stood, and surveyed the breadth of our land exulting in the sun: looked forward to the summer that is past," capture a moment of triumph and visionary leadership. Updike calls for a renewed appreciation of Washington, not just as a monumental figure, but as a leader who navigated the fledgling nation through its formative trials.

"February 22" is thus a contemplative ode to George Washington, weaving together the literal and metaphorical winters of America’s past with the deep and sometimes contradictory currents of national identity and memory. Updike challenges the reader to see beyond the myth, to recognize and appreciate the complex humanity of a figure so foundational to American history.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...