Marxist Reading of John Updike’s Novel Rabbit is Rich

Abstract

Unequal distribution of property creates class division inRabbit Is Richwhere capitalists practice excessive power owning enough property. Due to the excessive use of power and freedom, capitalists are morally as well as spiritually corrupted. Their economic success brings alienation, disorder, division, sexual perversion and disintegration of the familial and social ties. John Updike's Rabbit Is Rich textualizes the alienation, frustration and disintegration of the capitalists by its monumental 'everyman' Harry. His involvement in worldly pleasures and excess of materiality becomes the root cause of disintegration. Updike presents each and every character involved in worldly pleasures. Their sexual obsession brings disintegration in modern American life resulting the failure of capitalistic society. Through it, he shows a need of harmonious society without division establishing spirituality, love and sympathy between individuals.