Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Kenneths" by John Updike is a humorous and clever poem that pokes fun at the blending identities of three mid-20th-century poets: Kenneth Rexroth, Kenneth Patchen, and Kenneth Fearing. Updike uses the commonality of their first names to create a playful image of a singular, mythical poet who embodies characteristics of all three men. Through this imaginative amalgamation, Updike explores themes of literary identity and the quirky coincidences of naming in the literary world.

The poem begins with a jest about the indistinguishability of the three Kenneths to anyone but their mothers, suggesting that to the public or less discerning readers, these poets might as well be a single entity due to their shared first name. This opening line sets the tone for a light-hearted examination of their public personas and literary styles.

Updike then describes this composite figure as "A three-bodied sun-lover issuing strictures," a line that evokes a classical, perhaps mythological image of a multi-limbed, powerful figure who is both a critic and a creator. This fantastical creature engages in activities associated with the bohemian and intellectual scenes of the time, such as "berating 'Tom' Eliot," which positions him in opposition to T.S. Eliot's modernist sensibilities, and "translating tanka," pointing to an interest in Japanese poetry which Rexroth, in particular, was known for.

The mention of "imbibing espresso and sneering at Sanka" adds a humorous contrast between the authenticity and passion for the robust, traditional coffee (espresso) versus the derision for its instant, less flavorful counterpart (Sanka). This line highlights the poets’ probable disdain for the commercial and the mundane, suggesting a preference for the genuine and the artistic.

The description "Six arms, thirty fingers, all writing abundantly / What pops into heads each named Kenneth, redundantly" imagines the three poets as a single, hyper-productive being, humorously exaggerating their output and the seeming interchangeability of their thoughts and styles. This imagery underscores the idea of a shared creative vigor among them, unified under the banner of their first name.

Ultimately, "Kenneths" is both a witty homage to and a playful critique of the mid-century poetic landscape, wherein these three distinct poets are humorously conflated into one mythic figure due to the mere coincidence of their shared first name. Updike's poem serves as a commentary on the nature of literary fame and identity, suggesting that while individual styles and achievements may vary, the superficial aspects (like a name) can sometimes overshadow deeper distinctions in public memory.

POEM TEXT: https://georgeszirtes.blogspot.com/2009_01_01_archive.html

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...