Exploring John Updike's Poem 'The City Outside'

In a conversation about John Updike's poem 'The City Outside,' the podcast delves into Updike's shift in tone as he faced cancer, contrasting his usual light and witty style with a more profound and somber approach. Erica Jong, reflecting on Updike's correspondence with her, highlights how his poetry evolved during his illness, maintaining wit and humor while confronting mortality. Updike's descriptive phrases like 'infertive, semi-bachelorhood' and his poetic contemplation on mortality and perspective showcase his thematic depth and resilience in facing death.