Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Mountain Impasse" by John Updike is a humorous and clever poetic dialogue that reflects on the interaction between the great composer Igor Stravinsky and a mountain. Inspired by Stravinsky's quoted disdain for mountains in Life magazine, Updike personifies both the mountain and Stravinsky, creating a witty exchange that delves into themes of communication, perception, and the limitations of human understanding.

The poem opens with a simple yet profound setup:

"Stravinsky looks upon the mountain,

The mountain looks on him;"

This mutual gazing sets the stage for a confrontation not just of gazes but of perspectives. The subsequent line, "And both their views are dim," cleverly plays on the literal and figurative meanings of "views," suggesting both a physical sighting and a way of understanding or interpreting the world.

Stravinsky's declaration, "You bore me, mountain," and his claim that he despises the mountain because it doesn’t "confide" in him or "tell him anything," reflects a human-centric view of nature. It highlights how people often seek to derive meaning or personal resonance from nature, becoming frustrated when it remains indifferent or inscrutable to their demands.

The mountain's response, "Stravinsky, tell me why," personifies the mountain in a way that it demands an explanation from Stravinsky, challenging his quick dismissal. This shift in perspective gives the mountain a voice, turning the poem into a dialogue about misunderstanding and the expectation that nature must be communicative or revealing in human terms.

Stravinsky's frustration peaks as he "bellows at the mountain," a vivid depiction of his emotional outcry echoing through the "near-by valleys." His accusation that the mountain doesn’t "confide" in him is met with silence, a typical response of nature, which only amplifies his vexation.

The turning point in the poem occurs when the mountain finally responds after a suspenseful pause filled with "silence" and the skies that "glisten." The mountain's statement, "Igor, you never listen," reveals the crux of the misunderstanding. This response suggests that the issue isn't that the mountain has nothing to tell, but rather that Stravinsky, perhaps like many humans, does not truly listen or perhaps expects communication to be framed in human terms.

Updike's poem uses this comedic and philosophical exchange to explore deeper questions about human interactions with nature. It suggests that the problem often lies not in nature’s silence, but in our own inability or unwillingness to listen and find meaning in what is inherently non-verbal and non-human. The poem, through its playful tone and clever dialogue, invites readers to reflect on how they perceive and relate to the natural world, encouraging a deeper, more attentive form of engagement that goes beyond human expectations and projections.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...