in the work place, can return home to their lovers and be completely different. In another of Updikes sexual poems, sex is represented in an extremely different manner. In Updikes poem, Cunts, a very contradictory image of sexuality is given. Updike uses the word cunt in this poem consistently. This word is a very degrading word for the vagina, but he characterizes the female genitalia in a very positive fashion. Updike characterizes this portion of the human anatomy as a beautiful thing, especially when he refers to it as the, ...Glad tunnel of life... (p. 118). The process of giving birth is probably the most beautiful and rewarding experience that a woman can endure. Due to this characterization, the reader is filled with a respect for the womans body, because of the miracles that it can perform. Updike inserts the word cunt into the middle of thoughts, to enhance his point. Updike writes, ...there is almost / cunt too much of a CUNT good thing CUNT... (p.119). The use of these derogatory, interfering statements provides the reader with a clear view of Updikes point. Updike is showing the reader that societys view of men and women in society is tainted. We as a society tend to treat women as the inferior gender, with less freedom and more demanding guidelines than men. Most men crave sexual contact with a woman all of the time and when act upon these impulses, they are idolized by their peers. If a woman has the same urges and act upon them, however, she is instantly labeled a slut and a whore by society.Updike uses interesting techniques to enhance the meaning of his poems in other ways as well. In some of his non-sexual pieces, he uses interesting words and rhymes to present his meaning to the reader. In his poem, Reel, Updike repeats tongue twisting words, such as, whirl, whorl and wharve to pass the poems meaning on to his reader. In this particular poem Updike is trying to construct a sense of reeling to the re...
