John Updike regarded "The Centaur" as his most genuine and vibrant work, inspired by the mythical story of Chiron, a rare classical example of self-sacrifice. This novel intricately weaves mythological elements into a realistic narrative, intending to deepen the impact of Peter Caldwell's nostalgic reflections. By juxtaposing the ideals of myth with the mundane aspects of everyday life, Updike explores profound themes of sacrifice and understanding.

Peter Caldwell's Reflection

Peter Caldwell, who candidly labels himself as an average abstract expressionist painter, serves as the novel's narrator. Residing in Greenwich Village with his black girlfriend, Peter delves into memories of a pivotal three-day period shortly after World War II when he was a teenager. Through this retrospective journey, he gains insight into his father George's sacrifices, realizing the profound impact they had in enabling him to pursue his artistic aspirations.

Mythological Beginnings

The novel begins with a sudden plunge into mythology, presenting Chiron masquerading as a high school science teacher, wounded in the ankle by an arrow—paralleling the Greek myth. Limping on his remaining three hooves, he heads to Al Hummel’s garage for aid. To evade the incessant nagging of the principal, he deftly navigates the school’s basement. There, he encounters Vera Hummel, embodied as Venus, once more in an ethereal scene. Her emergence from the steam-filled girls’ locker room hints at both allure and denial of the centaur’s dual nature. Upstairs, Chiron finds Louis M. Zimmerman, the principal, usurping his classroom. The chapter concludes with Chiron's engaging lecture on the universe's origins, captivating his restless students.

A Shift to Reality

The second chapter transitions to stark realism, chronicling Peter's recollection of a chilly morning at age fifteen. He eavesdrops on a troubling conversation between his parents, where George/Chiron voices his fear of having cancer. This revelation prompts Peter to reflect on health, mortality, and his own hidden struggle with psoriasis. On their way to school in their converted Buick hearse, they pick up a hitchhiker, whose demands delay their journey.

Father and Son's Journey

The narrative predominantly follows the escapades of Peter and his father. Their journey includes a doctor's visit for an examination and X-rays, a high school swim meet, an overnight stay at a budget hotel due to car trouble, and attending a basketball game the following evening. Stranded in the snowstorm, they find refuge with the Hummels. Upon their return home, they discover that the X-rays show no signs of illness. As the next day dawns, Peter, battling a fever and cold, observes his father's resolute return to teaching. Completing the narrative arc, the final chapter revisits the mythological realm, with Chiron embracing his destined end while granted a fleeting reprieve.

Peter's Path to Understanding

This novel charts Peter’s journey of discovery, as revisiting those fleeting days of youth allows him to appreciate the life he once took for granted and the people he overlooked. Yet, "The Centaur" does not adopt the elegiac tone found in Updike's subsequent work, "Of the Farm." The epilogue leaves a celestial mark, with Zeus honoring Chiron by placing him among the stars as the constellation Sagittarius—still guiding human fates, even as contemporary society's gaze drifts from the cosmic to the mundane.