Rabbit Run by John Updike
The world of John Updike's Rabbit, Run is a collection of polarities that dramatizes the in-betweeness and the constant state of tension that characterizes humanity. A cursory perusal of John Updike's Rabbit, Run reveals a world of hopeless futility in which Harry Angstrom runs in ever-tightening circles. Rabbit is always running, from one woman to another, between Brewer and Mt. Judge, between solitude and society. Rabbit is torn because he has faith in something meaningful in the world, somewhere, but he fails to find it during any of his frequent but brief stops. More important than the futile vacuity of Rabbit's world, however, is the fact that he never gives up his quest. He searches through sex, orthodox faith, and family for a sign that life is not meaningless. Rabbit conceives of that thing he wants to find as embodied in the perfectly hit golf ball whose path is straight and true, the arc gradually rising in geometric continuity, traveling far before falling gently to earth with an imperceptible thud. It is neither the nature of Rabbit's travels, nor what he discovers that is vital; it is the fact that he never gives up in his pursuit of excellence that finally confirms John Updike's affirmation of the indomitability of the human character.
The structure of Rabbit, Run provides the outline of Updike's intention. The novel begins and ends with flight.
Updike focuses on a Rabbit who is unhappy in his marriage to his wife Janice Springer, pregnant with their second child, alcoholic, and addicted to the balm of the Mouseketeers. Ironically, Jimmy, one of the Mouseketeers, puts things in perspective one night for Rabbit, who has returned home from his job demonstrating the MagiPeeler in five-and...
... middle of paper ...
...he runs: Ah: runs". The conclusion suggests at the least an ephemeral hope, and in the most generous reading, an ecstatic proclamation. After all that Rabbit has endured, he persists in his hopeful vision. This reveals his creator, Updike, to be highly affirmative of the indomitability of the human spirit. Like a pebble in a spring stream, Rabbit is, by his own designs and by those of others, tossed to and fro. He endures the death of his newborn baby, the rejection of his mother, the ineffectual and foolish machinations of the Reverend Eccles, and the loss of Tothero who, behind his mother, had the second greatest influence on his life. Finally, he loses contact with the child he conceived with Ruth. In spite of this, Rabbit retains hope in a future in which he will find the straight path that appeases his appetite and appeals to his sense of orderliness and peace.
Updike begins the poem by personifying the characters as if he was a general leading an army. “My characters greet me with misty faces though chilled”, this line describes the characters as willing but scared soldiers ready to begin training. When Updike describes his characters as changing “clothes and mannerisms” with “instant obedience”, he further utilizes the technique of bringing his characters to life, and displays a connection between
As people age, maturity and wisdom is gained through every experiences. From the time a child turns eighteen and becomes an adult, they are required to deal with the realities of the real world and learn how to handle its responsibilities. In John Updike's short story, "A&P", the protagonist Sammy, a young boy of nineteen, makes a drastic change to his life fueled by nothing more than his immaturity and desire to do what he wants and because of that, he has do deal with the consequences.
Sammy’s decision in the end to break away from the conformity that is in the A&P to establish himself is a raw truthful decision. He has chosen to follow his heart which Updike shows is what every person should do. This story is great for readers of all ages, because Sammy could be any person in modern contemporary society who is struggling to find themselves in a world dominated by conformity, rules, and standards of norms. Updike’s story is a powerful message to seek individualism. Although sometimes the road to self-identity is not known the journey getting there is worth all the while.
Throughout the poem Updike relies on the use of vivid imagery to clearly allude to the complex relationship that he’s attempting to highlight between the novelist and his characters. His use of diction, such as “trench warfare,” “unraveling bandages,” and “a harsh taskmaster” result in producing a very gloomy imagery for the reader which results in the poem developing a very dark and negative mood which
Updike, John. “A & P.” The Norton Introduction to Literature. Eds. Alison Booth and Kelly
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is a story about a little girl who comes into contact with unpredictable, illogical, basically mad world of Wonderland by following the White Rabbit into a huge rabbit – hole. Everything she experiences there challenges her perception and questions common sense. This extraordinary world is inhabited with peculiar, mystical and anthropomorphic creatures that constantly assault Alice which makes her to question her fundamental beliefs and suffer an identity crisis. Nevertheless, as she woke up from “such a curious dream” she could not help but think “as well she might, what a wonderful dream it had been ”.
What comes to mind when one thinks of the word ‘puppy’? It is probable describe a puppy as a lovable, adorable, and cuddly companion. However, one might also identify the animal as a menace and a liability or even as a delicious source of food. Why does this single word hold so many meanings? One’s past experiences and biases influences these conflicting views and attitudes. For instance, an individual’s fond view of puppies may exist because they were raised with puppies and consequently grew affectionate toward the animals. On the contrary, if another individual has not bonded with puppies as pets, then they will share the latter point of view. In the short story “Puppy” by George Saunders, the multiple characters view single events and objects with contrasting perceptions. Therefore, instead of painting a precise picture of the characters and the plot, the story expresses several views regarding the morals of the characters, the motivations of their actions, and the meaning of the events that take place. In “Puppy”, George Saunders explores the theory that perception is not an elementary, universal definition of an object or idea, but a complex interpretation that is influenced by one’s unique and varying past experiences and opinions. The complexity of perception is evident in one the story’s narrator’s, Marie’s, vantage point.
Sammy, the protagonist in John Updike’s “A&P,” is a dynamic character because he reveals himself as an immature, teenage boy at the beginning of the story and changes into a mature man at the end. The way Sammy describes his place of work, the customers in the store, and his ultimate choice in the end, prove his change from an immature boy to a chivalrous man. In the beginning, he is unhappy in his place of work, rude in his description of the customers and objectification of the three girls, all of which prove his immaturity. His heroic lifestyle change in the end shows how his change of heart and attitude transform him into mature young man.
Updike, John “A&P.” Exploring Literature: Writing and Arguing About Fiction, Poetry, Drama and The Essay.4th e. Ed. Frank Madden. New York: Pearson Longman, 2009. 496-501. Print.
Updike, John. "A&P." The Bedford Introduction To Literature. Ed. Editor's Name(s). Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin, 2005.
Robert shares a special relationship and bond with animals, in particular rabbits. The rabbits are a symbol of Rowena, not only because they were her prize possession, but also because the rabbits remind Robert of his younger sister. Both Rowena and the rabbits are characters of innocence and purity. Being considered as small, fragile and precious to those who love and look after them. Findley uses the rabbits to evoke feelings of guilt from Robert, during the constant appearances in the novel. When Rowena dies, R...
Updike is famous for taking other author's works and twisting them so that they reflect a more contemporary flavor. While the story remains the same, the climate is singular only to Updike. This is the reason why there are similarities as well as deviations from Joyce's original piece. Plot, theme and detail are three of the most resembling aspects of the two stories over all other literary components; characteristic of both writers' works, each rendition offers its own unique perspective upon the young man's romantic infatuation. Not only are descriptive phrases shared by both stories, but parallels occur with each ending, as well (Doloff 113).
" The melting snow began to turn to mist and the mist was filled with rabbits and Rowena and his father and his mother and the whole of his past life—birth and death and childhood. He could breathe them in and breathe them out." (Findley, 14)
In John Updike’s short story, A&P the writer takes you on a youths memory that involves the choices and consequences that life can deal to anyone who has not had time to test a rash decision. The narrator is an immature nineteen-year-old cashier who is about to make a giant leap from adolescence to manhood. Sammy narrates with opinions of not only his life, but also the people in the town. Sammy opposes with the way these people live their lives, and is determined to set a different course for his future. The author uses characterization, symbolism, and setting to explain Sammy's life issues such as decision-making, result of action, and responsibility. The story illustrates that part of growing up is about making choices and a willingness to accept consequences of one’s own choices.
Luscher, Robert M. John Updike: A Study of the Short Fiction. New York: Twayne, 1993.