Ex-Basketball Player

‘Ex-Basketball Player’ tells the story of Flick Webb, once a talented basketball player, as he navigates a mundane existence while reminiscing about his past glory and longing for recognition and purpose. The poem explores transience, unfulfilled potential, and the yearning for a meaningful existence beyond past achievements.

Summary

‘Ex-Basketball Player’ by John Updike is a narrative poem about Flick Webb, a former high school basketball star whose glory days are long gone.

The poem is set in a small town, with Pearl Avenue serving as the backdrop. The avenue stretches past the high school and bends alongside trolley tracks before reaching Colonel McComsky Plaza, where it abruptly ends.

Berth’s Garage, located on the corner facing west, is where Flick Webb spends most of his days assisting Berth. Flick stands tall among the gas pumps, characterized as “idiot pumps” due to their outdated design. They have rubber elbows that hang loosely, and one pump even lacks a head, resembling a football.

Flick’s past as a basketball player is highlighted; he used to play for the high school team, the Wizards. In 1946, he achieved great success by scoring 390 points, a county record that still stands. Flick had an innate talent for the game, and the ball seemed to have a special affinity for him. The speaker recalls watching Flick score an impressive thirty-eight or forty points in a single home game, praising his agile and skillful hands, which were likened to wild birds.

However, Flick never pursued a career or learned a trade beyond his basketball prowess. He now works at the garage, selling gas, checking oil, and changing flat tires. Occasionally, he amuses himself and others by dribbling an inner tube as a joke, reminiscent of his basketball days. Despite his present circumstances, Flick’s hands remain dexterous and restless when handling the lug wrench, although it makes no difference to the lug wrench itself.

Outside of work, Flick spends his time at Mae’s Luncheonette, a local hangout. Described as “grease-gray” and coiled, he engages in leisure activities such as playing pinball and smoking thin cigars while sipping on lemon phosphates. Flick seldom engages in conversation with Mae, the proprietor of the luncheonette, instead directing his gaze past her face towards the enticing displays of colorful candies, including Necco Wafers, Nibs, and Juju Beads.

Essentially, ‘Ex-Basketball Player’ portrays the life of Flick Webb, once a talented basketball player who now resides in the shadows of his former glory, spending his days working at a gas station and seeking solace in mundane routines and nostalgic memories. The poem captures the fleeting nature of fame and the challenges faced by individuals whose lives are defined by a singular moment of achievement.

Structure and Form

‘Ex-Basketball Player’ by John Updike is structured as a sestet, with five stanzas, each containing six lines. The absence of a consistent rhyming scheme in the poem contributes to its free verse form, allowing the poet to focus on the narrative and emotional impact of the story rather than adhering to strict poetic conventions.

The poem’s structure serves to create a sense of progression and visual cohesion. Each stanza presents a distinct image or moment, moving the story forward while capturing different aspects of Flick Webb’s life. The consistent use of six lines in each stanza establishes a rhythmic pattern and provides a balanced framework for the narrative.

Furthermore, the lack of a consistent rhyming scheme contributes to the poem’s natural and conversational tone. The absence of end rhymes allows the poet to focus on the content and emotional depth of the poem rather than conforming to traditional poetic expectations. This free verse structure enables Updike to tell Flick Webb’s story in a straightforward and accessible manner, emphasizing the authenticity and realism of the narrative.

The active voice is employed throughout the analysis, as it enhances clarity and directness when discussing the poem’s structure and form. By utilizing the active voice, the analysis highlights the deliberate choices made by the poet and their impact on the overall composition.

Themes

‘Ex-Basketball Player’ by John Updike explores several themes, shedding light on the fleeting nature of fame, the struggles of unfulfilled potential, and the longing for purpose and recognition. Through vivid imagery and character portrayal, Updike delves into these themes.

One prominent theme in the poem is the transience of fame. Flick Webb, once a talented basketball player, is now relegated to a life of obscurity. The poem emphasizes this theme by contrasting Flick’s past achievements, such as his county record of 390 points, with his current mundane existence at the gas station. The lines, “Once Flick played for the high-school team, the Wizards. He was good: in fact, the best,” highlight the fleeting nature of Flick’s basketball stardom, as it is now a distant memory.

Another theme is the struggle for unfulfilled potential. Flick’s talent and success on the basketball court contrast sharply with his lack of ambition and failure to pursue a career or learn a trade. Instead, he is stuck in a dead-end job, merely selling gas and changing flats. This theme is reinforced by the lines, “He never learned a trade, he just sells gas… It makes no difference to the lug wrench, though,” which underline Flick’s stagnant life and his missed opportunities.

The poem also touches on the yearning for purpose and recognition. Flick’s presence at Mae’s Luncheonette and his engagement in activities like playing pinball and smoking cigars can be seen as attempts to find solace and escape from the monotony of his current life. Flick’s longing for recognition is highlighted when he looks beyond Mae’s face “toward bright applauding tiers of Necco Wafers, Nibs, and Juju Beads.” This imagery captures his desire for the applause and admiration he once received as a basketball player.

Through these themes, Updike portrays the complexities of human existence, the ephemeral nature of success, the consequences of unfulfilled potential, and the universal longing for purpose and recognition. The active voice is employed to emphasize the exploration of these themes and their impact on Flick Webb’s character, providing a deeper understanding of the poem’s underlying messages.

Poetic Techniques and Figurative Language

In ‘Ex-Basketball Player,’ John Updike employs various poetic techniques and figurative language to convey his message effectively and enhance the reader’s understanding of the themes and emotions presented.

• Imagery: One notable poetic technique is the use of graphic imagery. Updike employs descriptive language to paint a vivid picture of Flick Webb’s surroundings, such as referring to the gas pumps as “idiot pumps” with “rubber elbows hanging loose and low.” This imagery brings the gas station to life and adds depth to the poem.
• Figurative language: This includes the use of similes. Updike compares Flick’s hands to “wild birds,” emphasizing their agility and skill on the basketball court. This simile creates a strong visual image and enhances the reader’s appreciation for Flick’s talent.
• Enjambment: Another poetic technique is enjambment, where the end of a line does not coincide with the end of a sentence or phrase. For example, in the line “He never learned a trade, he just sells gas,” the sentence continues into the next line. This technique adds a sense of continuity and flow to the poem, reflecting the ongoing nature of Flick’s unfulfilled potential.
• Alliteration: The use of alliteration is evident in lines like “Grease-gray and kind of coiled,” where the repetition of the “g” and “c” sounds creates a musical quality and draws attention to Flick’s appearance. This technique adds a pleasing rhythm to the poem.
• Metaphors: The poem also incorporates metaphorical language. The gas pumps are metaphorically described as “idiot pumps,” suggesting their outdated and unintelligent nature. This metaphor adds a layer of commentary on the monotony and unfulfilling nature of Flick’s current life.

Detailed Analysis

Stanza One

Pearl Avenue runs past the high-school lot,
Bends with the trolley tracks, and stops, cut off
Before it has a chance to go two blocks,
At Colonel McComsky Plaza. Berth’s Garage
Is on the corner facing west, and there,
Most days, you’ll find Flick Webb, who helps Berth out.

The poem’s opening stanza sets the stage for the narrative and introduces the readers to the mundane yet significant setting of Pearl Avenue. Through the depiction of Pearl Avenue and its surroundings, Updike conveys a sense of confinement and limitation that foreshadows the unfulfilled potential and stagnation experienced by the poem’s central character, Flick Webb.

The description of Pearl Avenue running past the high-school lot creates a sense of familiarity and establishes a connection to the youth and energy associated with high school life. However, the line that follows, “Bends with the trolley tracks, and stops, cut off,” introduces a shift in tone. The avenue’s trajectory is abruptly halted, emphasizing a sense of restriction and the idea that progress and opportunities are curtailed.

The mention of Colonel McComsky Plaza as the endpoint of Pearl Avenue further reinforces the theme of confinement. The plaza represents a boundary, preventing the avenue from extending beyond two blocks. This imagery suggests a limited scope and restricted horizons, mirroring Flick Webb’s own circumstances and unfulfilled potential.

The introduction of Berth’s Garage on the corner facing west adds to the atmosphere of stagnation and routine. The garage represents a symbol of everyday work and the monotony of Flick’s life. The fact that Flick helps out at the garage suggests a lack of ambition or the absence of opportunities for personal growth. It reinforces the idea that Flick’s existence is limited to this confined space, devoid of progress or meaningful pursuits.

Through the carefully crafted imagery and setting, Updike conveys a sense of confinement and limitation, mirroring Flick Webb’s circumstances. The stagnant nature of Pearl Avenue, its halt at Colonel McComsky Plaza, and the presence of Berth’s Garage all contribute to the overall message of unfulfilled potential and a life constrained by circumstances. This opening stanza serves as a foundation for the exploration of themes that follow in the poem, setting the stage for the portrayal of Flick’s faded glory and the yearning for something more in his life.

Stanza Two

Flick stands tall among the idiot pumps—

(…)

A head at all—more of a football type.

In the second stanza, the poet presents striking imagery and employs figurative language to convey the themes of insignificance, obsolescence, and loss of identity. The stanza focuses on Flick Webb’s presence among the gas pumps at Berth’s Garage, highlighting his current state and the contrast between his past glory as a basketball player and his present circumstances.

The stanza opens with the line, “Flick stands tall among the idiot pumps,” immediately drawing attention to Flick’s physical presence amidst the gas pumps. The use of the word “idiot” to describe the pumps suggests their lack of intelligence or significance, emphasizing Flick’s position within this unremarkable environment. This serves as a metaphorical commentary on the diminished status Flick now occupies compared to his basketball days.

Describing the pumps as “the old bubble-head style” with “rubber elbows hanging loose and low” creates a visual image of outdated and worn-out machinery. The use of figurative language enhances the sense of obsolescence and decay. The imagery of the pumps with their loose and low-hanging rubber elbows suggests a sense of defeat or resignation, reflecting Flick’s own diminished state and lack of purpose.

The subsequent lines employ further figurative language to describe the appearance of the pumps. The description of one pump having nostrils shaped like two S’s and eyes resembling an E and O suggests a distorted and disfigured visage. This imagery contributes to a sense of abnormality and grotesqueness, further emphasizing the theme of insignificance and the loss of identity.

The final line of the stanza describes one pump as being “squat, without a head at all—more of a football type.” This image reinforces the sense of deformity and suggests a lack of individuality. The comparison to a football type further symbolizes the replacement of Flick’s once prominent identity as a basketball player with an inconsequential and anonymous existence.

Stanza Three

Once Flick played for the high-school team, the Wizards.

(…)

In one home game. His hands were like wild birds.

In ‘Ex-Basketball Player,’ third stanza, the poet reflects on Flick Webb’s past glory as a high school basketball player, emphasizing themes of achievement, admiration, and the transient nature of success. This stanza serves as a stark contrast to the previous stanzas, which focused on Flick’s current mundane existence.

The stanza begins by establishing Flick’s former status as a basketball player for the high school team, the Wizards. The use of the phrase “Once Flick played” immediately evokes a sense of nostalgia and highlights the temporal nature of his basketball career. The mention of the team name, the Wizards, conveys a sense of magic and exceptional skill associated with Flick’s abilities on the court.

Updike then emphasizes Flick’s talent and success by stating that he was not just good but “the best.” This superlative description highlights Flick’s exceptional skill and dominance in the game. The line “In ’46, he bucketed three hundred ninety points” further solidifies his achievement, emphasizing the significance of his scoring record. The fact that this county record still stands adds to the aura of Flick’s past greatness.

The imagery of the ball “loving” Flick contributes to the theme of admiration and highlights the strong connection between the player and the sport. This personification of the ball conveys a sense of mutual affection and suggests a deep bond between Flick and the game of basketball.

The stanza concludes with a vivid image of Flick’s impressive performance in a home game, where he scored thirty-eight or forty points. The simile “His hands were like wild birds” creates a powerful visual comparison, emphasizing the grace, agility, and skill of Flick’s hands as he handles the ball. This comparison evokes a sense of natural talent and innate ability, further solidifying Flick’s status as a gifted player.

Stanza Four

He never learned a trade, he just sells gas,

(…)

It makes no difference to the lug wrench, though.

In the fourth stanza of John Updike’s ‘Ex-Basketball Player,’ the poet continues to explore the theme of unfulfilled potential and the contrast between Flick Webb’s past glory and his present circumstances. This stanza focuses on Flick’s current occupation at the gas station and highlights the disparity between his former athletic prowess and his current routine job.

The stanza begins by highlighting Flick’s lack of vocational training. Instead of pursuing a trade or career, Flick now works at the gas station, where he sells gas, checks oil, and changes flat tires. This emphasizes Flick’s limited opportunities and the absence of ambition or personal development. The repetition of the word “he” underscores the monotony and repetitiveness of his current work.

The mention of Flick dribbling an inner tube as a gag reveals a playful side to his character. However, the phrase “most of us remember anyway” implies that despite this playful act, Flick’s past as a basketball player is what truly defines him in the eyes of others. The line suggests that his present actions are merely a footnote compared to his former athletic achievements.

The next two lines focus on Flick’s hands, emphasizing their fine and nervous nature when handling the lug wrench. This description carries a sense of latent skill and potential that is no longer being utilized to its fullest extent. The line “It makes no difference to the lug wrench, though” conveys a poignant contrast. While Flick’s hands may possess a certain dexterity and capability, their abilities go unrecognized or are irrelevant in his current job. This line further underscores the theme of unfulfilled potential and the disconnection between Flick’s past accomplishments and his present reality.

Updike underscores the contrast between Flick’s past glory as a basketball player and his current existence as a gas station attendant. It highlights the mundane nature of his work and the sense of unfulfilled potential that lingers in his life. The stanza serves as a reminder of the transient nature of success and the challenges faced by individuals whose lives are defined by a singular moment of achievement.

Stanza Five

Off work, he hangs around Mae’s Luncheonette.

(…)

Of Necco Wafers, Nibs, and Juju Beads.

In this fifth and final stanza, the poet continues to explore the theme of unfulfilled potential and the longing for recognition and purpose. This stanza focuses on Flick Webb’s leisure time spent at Mae’s Luncheonette and provides insight into his daily routine and his relationship with Mae, the proprietor.

The stanza opens with Flick hanging around Mae’s Luncheonette after work. The description of him as “grease-gray and kind of coiled” paints a vivid image of Flick’s appearance, suggesting a weariness and lack of vitality. This imagery reflects the monotony and unremarkable nature of his life, further emphasizing the theme of unfulfilled potential.

The following lines describe Flick engaging in leisure activities such as playing pinball, smoking thin cigars, and nursing lemon phosphates. These activities serve as a form of escape or diversion from the dullness of his daily routine. However, the use of the word “nurses” suggests a passive and longing attitude, indicating a yearning for something more meaningful or fulfilling in his life.

The stanza also highlights Flick’s minimal interaction with Mae. He seldom speaks to her, instead choosing to simply nod. This lack of communication suggests a certain distance or disconnect, reinforcing the notion that Flick’s desires and aspirations lie beyond the confines of Mae’s Luncheonette.

The final lines of the stanza evoke a sense of longing and nostalgia. Flick’s gaze extends beyond Mae’s face and fixates on the display of candies, including Necco Wafers, Nibs, and Juju Beads. These bright and colorful candies symbolize a world of joy and applause that Flick longs to return to. The mention of “bright applauding tiers” implies a desire for recognition and validation, harkening back to his days as a basketball player.

Updike highlights Flick’s attempts to find solace and escape from the monotony of his life through leisure activities. It also underscores his longing for recognition, purpose, and a return to the applause and adulation he once experienced. The stanza serves as a poignant conclusion to the poem, leaving the reader with a sense of melancholy and the recognition of the potential that has been left unrealized.

FAQs

Similar Poetry

Readers who enjoyed this poem by John Updike may also like to explore the following other poems:

• ‘In Memory of the Utah Stars’ by William Matthews – captures the manner in which memories can provide us with both pleasure and pain.
• ‘Dear Basketball’ by Kobe Bryant – depicts the poet’s love for the sport. He expresses his appreciation for basketball and how it made him into the person he became.
• ‘Basketball Rule #1’ – is one of several rules that feature in Kwame Alexander’s book The Crossover.