Rabbit, Run by John Updike
- 1. Rabbit, Run is a novel by John Updike that intricately explores the themes of existential despair, the search for identity, and the complexities of American suburbia in the postwar era. Published in 1960, the story follows Harry 'Rabbit' Angstrom, a former high school basketball star, who feels trapped in his mundane life as a married man and father in a small Pennsylvania town. As Rabbit grapples with his dissatisfaction and the suffocating nature of suburban life, he decides to run away from his responsibilities, seeking freedom and meaning in a world that seems increasingly disillusioning. Updike's rich prose captures Rabbit's internal conflicts, his fleeting moments of joy, and the repercussions of his choices, painting a vivid portrait of a man in crisis. The novel not only delves into the psychological landscape of its protagonist but also serves as a commentary on the American Dream and the societal expectations of the 1960s, making it a significant work in American literature.
What sport was Rabbit known for in high school?
A) Football
B) Track
C) Basketball
D) Baseball
- 2. What is Rabbit's profession at the beginning of the novel?
A) Mechanic
B) Salesman
C) Teacher
D) Banker
A) Sandy
B) Maggie
C) Janice Angstrom
D) Angela
- 4. What does Rabbit struggle with throughout the novel?
A) Wealth and success
B) Health and stability
C) Identity and freedom
D) Power and control
- 5. Which overarching theme is explored in 'Rabbit, Run'?
A) Journey to self-acceptance
B) The American dream
C) The search for meaning
D) Family values
- 6. What city serves as a backdrop for much of the novel?
A) Chicago
B) Los Angeles
C) New York City
D) Reading, Pennsylvania
- 7. What literary technique is prominently used in the novel?
A) Stream of consciousness
B) Non-linear timeline
C) Epistolary form
D) First-person narration
- 8. How does Rabbit react to his tumultuous life?
A) He accepts his fate
B) He seeks therapy
C) He runs away
D) He confronts his problems
- 9. Who does Rabbit have an affair with?
A) Ruth
B) Linda
C) His old high school classmate
D) Janice's friend
- 10. What does Rabbit aspire for throughout the novel?
A) Fame
B) A sense of purpose
C) Wealth
D) Stability
- 11. In what year was 'Rabbit, Run' published?
A) 1965
B) 1955
C) 1960
D) 1970
- 12. How does Janice describe her marriage to Rabbit?
A) Stifling
B) Understanding
C) Exciting
D) Supportive
- 13. What is a recurring motif throughout the novel?
A) Swimming
B) Running
C) Flying
D) Walking
- 14. Who is Rabbit’s daughter?
A) Jessica
B) Sarah
C) Rebecca
D) Emily
- 15. How does Updike explore sexuality in the novel?
A) As unimportant
B) As complex and sometimes burdensome
C) As purely physical
D) As simple and direct
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