A Feminist Reading of Rabbit, RunI don't like Harry "Rabbit" Angstrom. This creation of John Updike, this man who abandons his pregnant wife and young child, and his alliance with the feeling of unrest and rebellion of the late 1950s makes me angry. Several times throughout this novel, my cheeks flushed furiously and I couldn't contain my exasperated sighs. When I read the last sentences of Rabbit, Run and closed the book, I was disappointed. This is not because Updike fails to specify where and to whom Rabbit is running (to his wife? to the prostitute?). Surprisingly, I was very disappointed because the novel was finished. Although my reaction to Rabbit was negative, it was a very strong reaction; I had become emotionally involved. Because Updike created this anti-heroic but fascinating main character, I was absorbed into his world. I don't like Harry "Rabbit" Angstrom, but thanks to Updike's writing skills, I understand him. And, in understanding him, I am able to realize the importance of his place among the most influential literary figures (especially American). This is part of the reason why Updike's novel (and the next three Rabbit novels to follow) became such an essential piece. of literature in the American tradition is Rabbit himself. Although he is not likeable, Harry Angstrom's character has various important aspects and depths that cannot be overlooked. Some critics choose to look at the surface and explore Rabbit's nature in relation to that of rabbits (the animal). There are many instances where we see Rabbit acting much like his namesake. For example, when visiting his parents, Updike describes this in very rabbit-like terms: The rabbit sneaks up to his... middle of paper ...... him to n no matter what. Works Cited Detweiler, Robert. John Updike. Indianapolis: Indiana University, 1984. 33-45. Kielland-Lund, Erik. “The Americanness of Rabbit, Run: A Transatlantic Vision.” New essays on Rabbit, Run. Ed. Stanley Trachtenberg. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1993. 77-94. O'Connell, Mary. Updike and the patriarchal dilemma. Carbondale, IL: Southern Illinois University Press, 1996. 13-36. Pinsker, Sanford. "The Unrest in the 1950s: What Made Rabbit Run?" New essays on Rabbit, Run. Ed. Stanley Trachtenberg. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1993. 53-76.Stevick, Philip. "The Complete Range of Updike's Prose." New essays on Rabbit, Run. Ed. Stanley Trachtenberg. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1993. 31-52. Updike, John. Rabbit, run. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1960.