Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Decor" by John Updike offers a succinct yet vivid portrait of a bar, using the motif of the color brown to explore themes of aging, masculinity, and identity. The poem paints a scene rich in sensory details, encapsulating a specific atmosphere and the character of the people within it.

The opening line, "Brown dominates this bar where men come to age," immediately sets the tone and the central theme of the poem. Brown is not just a color here; it symbolizes the process of aging and perhaps the ripening or mellowing of human life, similar to how leather or wood gains character and depth as it ages. The idea of the bar as a place "where men come to age" introduces it as a setting for reflection, daily ritual, and the slow passage of time.

The descriptive choices in the poem are particularly striking: "the waiters Negro, the whiskey unwatered, the overheard voices from Texas, the cigars and varnished wood." Each element adds a layer to the setting, contributing to the old, perhaps timeless feel of the place. The specific mention of the waiters' race, the purity of the whiskey, regional accents, and traditional symbols of masculinity like cigars and polished wood—all these paint a picture of a setting that is both specific and universal in its portrayal of a certain kind of American bar.

The phrase "Brown, the implication is, is a shade of the soul, the color of a man" delves deeper into the symbolism of brown. Here, Updike suggests that brown represents not just the physical aging but also the psychological and emotional layers of a person. The color brown as "well-tanned and stained to the innermost vein" evokes a sense of something that has been permeated thoroughly, suggesting a life fully lived or perhaps seasoned by experiences and challenges.

The comparison of life to "a long curing" is particularly evocative. Curing, in the context of food preparation, is a process used to preserve and enhance flavor. By analogy, life experiences—especially those shared in communal spaces like bars—add depth and richness to a person's character, preserving memories and stories that define identity. This metaphor subtly underscores the notion that human beings, much like materials like wood or leather, go through a process of enhancement and preservation as they age.

"Decor" is not merely a description of a bar but a contemplative piece that uses the setting as a metaphor for life and aging. John Updike, through his precise and evocative use of imagery, invites readers to reflect on the ways places can reflect and shape our understanding of identity and the passing of time. The poem's briefness belies its depth, encapsulating complex ideas about human nature and the environment we inhabit in a mere few lines, leaving the reader with a rich, if somewhat somber, impression of life's enduring depth.

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