Alienation in Updike's Rabbit, Run

Abstract

John Updike in his Rabbit Run raises a burning issue of suburban life of America. The novel focuses on the problems faced by the common people in this modern material world. The novel presents a bleak, existential view of the late 1950s. Rabbit's running is also a metaphor for seeking a better life. Rabbit Angstrom of Rabbit Run, representing the epitome of modern America, is an ex-basketball player, who can't himself adjust in the world of work, and thus runs away from his family. He feels alienated because of his inability to fulfill the desires of his wives Janice and Ruth as well as his son Nelson. He is unable to exist himself in his own family environment because he cannot overcome the tendency created by materialistic world. His efforts seem inadequate to cope up with the problems of his family as he lacks right choices and due to his economic limitation. These are the reasons behind his alienation. This study traces the development of existentialism and notes their convergence with John Updike's ideas. It concludes with a claim that one should try to exist, no matter the hardship of the material world they have to undergo.