TOW #6: "The Disposable Rocket" by John Updlike (written, non-fiction text)

In “The Disposable Rocket”, John Updlike uses rich metaphors to describe what it is like to be a male and what it is like to have a male body. He begins his essay by saying that “Inhibiting a male body is like having a bank account; as long as it’s healthy, you don’t think much

about it” (1). With this sentence, he criticizes the majority of men who do not take care of their body. Although he values men’s never-ending thirst for adventure, he says it is important for men to take care of their body as they may feel the same kind of betrayal he had felt when he first felt weak and old. Also, he stresses men’s superiority over women and the difference between the two genders. He says that unlike women, men have an innate recklessness, “to take their body to the edge, and see if it flies” (5). He almost puts men over women by delivering a feeling to the readers that he is stating men can do whatever they want. These anti-feminist feelings readers receive from his works is not surprising. Although considered as one of the greatest American writers of his generation, Updlike was often criticized for his misogynistic depiction of women in his writings. Because of this background, his intended audience for this essay is other men who do reckless things just for the joy and temptation of it. Updlike establishes his credibility with age; since he was in his sixties when he wrote “The Disposable Rocket”, he has the experience and credit to warn other men to take good care of their bodies. Updlike successfully achieves his purpose of warning other men to be aware of risks, but fails to win women’s accord by undermining the importance and power of women. Also, his very distinct descriptions of roles of men and women makes it difficult for women to agree. Some women also have the audacity and desire for adventure that Updlike stresses are only ingrained in men.