Athletic Legacies: Celebrating Triumphs in Poetry

Exploring the thematic nuances of two poetic works, "To an Athlete Dying Young" by A.E. Housman and "Ex-Basketball Player" by John Updike, we unravel the divergent perspectives and attitudes towards the athletes' lives and achievements. While both poems share a common thread in celebrating athletic prowess, the speakers in each work navigate distinct emotional landscapes. In "To an Athlete Dying Young," the speaker offers a positive reflection on the athlete's legacy, juxtaposed against the disappointment and unfulfilled potential expressed by the speaker in "Ex-Basketball Player" towards Flick Webb.

To an Athlete Dying Young: A Celebration of Legacy

Housman's "To an Athlete Dying Young" serves as a poignant exploration of the positive reflections the speaker harbors towards the deceased athlete. The poem unfolds with the speaker honoring the athlete's accomplishments even in death, setting a tone of respect and reverence. The lines, "Smart lad, to slip betimes away / From fields where glory does not stay," (9-10) indicate a sense of admiration for the athlete's foresight to depart the pinnacle of their success, avoiding the inevitable decline that often follows.

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The speaker paints a vivid picture of the athlete's triumphant return home, where townspeople carry the athlete "shoulder-high" in a celebratory procession. This imagery, "Shoulder-high we bring you home, / And set you at your threshold down, / Townsman of a stiller town," (6-8) reflects not only the physical elevation of the athlete but also the elevated status in the collective memory of the community. The speaker establishes a direct address to the deceased athlete, expressing appreciation for the time the athlete "won [their] town the race" (1).

Throughout the poem, the speaker's words convey a sense of positive reminiscence about the athlete's life and accomplishments. Phrases like "We chaired you through the market-place; / Man and boy stood cheering by," (2-3) underline the communal celebration of the athlete's success. Even in death, the speaker projects a notion that the athlete's accomplishments will endure as a lasting legacy, as indicated by, "Now you will not swell the rout / Of lads that wore their honors out," (17-18).

Housman's speaker, with profound respect, directly addresses the athlete, recognizing the transience of glory on the athletic field but immortalizing the achievements in the enduring memory of the town. The positive and celebratory tone underscores the idea that the athlete's premature death serves as a preservation of their golden moments, shielded from the erosion of time.

Ex-Basketball Player: Echoes of Disappointment

In stark contrast, Updike's "Ex-Basketball Player" introduces Flick Webb, a former high school basketball star whose life takes a markedly different trajectory. The speaker opens with a reminiscent acknowledgment of Flick's past glory, stating, "Once Flick played for the high-school team, the Wizards / He was good: in fact, the best," (13-14). However, the tone shifts as the speaker unfolds Flick's current reality as a gas station attendant in Colonel McComsky Plaza.

The speaker's attitude towards Flick is tinged with disappointment and a sense of unfulfilled potential. Describing Flick's mundane existence, "He never learned a trade, he just sells gas, / Checks oil, and changes flats," (19-20), the speaker laments the divergence from a path that could have led to greater success. Flick, once the star on the basketball court, now stands "tall among the idiot pumps" (7), a stark visual metaphor for the unremarkable nature of his current occupation.

Unlike the celebratory tone in Housman's poem, Updike's speaker emphasizes the mundane and uneventful aspects of Flick's life. Flick's hands, once likened to "wild birds" during his basketball glory days, are now engaged in routine tasks devoid of the excitement and vigor of his youth. The speaker's disappointment is palpable, hinting at the unfulfilled promise of Flick's potential.

While there is an acknowledgment of Flick's past prowess, the speaker in "Ex-Basketball Player" dwells more on the contrast between the athlete's celebrated youth and the ordinary, unexceptional life he leads in adulthood. The disappointment stems from the perceived waste of talent and potential.

Comparative Analysis: Divergent Perspectives

The comparison of both poems highlights the stark contrast in the speakers' attitudes towards the athletes' lives and accomplishments. While Housman's speaker chooses to immortalize the athlete's triumphant moments, creating a narrative of enduring legacy, Updike's speaker focuses on the post-glory life of Flick Webb, weaving a tale of unrealized potential and disappointment.

Both poems share a common theme of appreciation for athletic achievements, evident in lines like, "The time you won your town the race / We chaired you through the market-place; / Man and boy stood cheering by," (1-3) and "Once Flick played for the high-school team, the Wizards / He was good: in fact, the best," (13-14). However, the speakers' divergent perspectives shape the overall tone and message of each poem, providing a nuanced understanding of how athletes are remembered beyond their prime.

Conclusion: Navigating the Emotional Terrain

In conclusion, the exploration of "To an Athlete Dying Young" and "Ex-Basketball Player" reveals the intricate emotional terrain encapsulated by each speaker. Housman's speaker celebrates the athlete's life, choosing to immortalize the moments of glory and honor, even in death. On the contrary, Updike's speaker, while acknowledging Flick's past achievements, casts a shadow of disappointment over the unfulfilled potential and ordinary nature of his adulthood.

Both poems offer a lens into the human experience, where athletic accomplishments become a prism through which lives are remembered. The divergent perspectives not only enrich the literary analysis but also prompt contemplation on how society perceives and memorializes its sporting heroes. Ultimately, these poems beckon readers to ponder the broader implications of celebrating and navigating the complexities of life beyond the pinnacle of success.