The Predicament Of Rabbit In John Updike's Rabbit Tetralogy

John Updike (1932-2009) is a prominent American novelist, poet, essayist playwright, short story writer and literary critic who is well-known for his subtle and delicate description of the American psycho in the latter half of the century. His novel Rabbit tetralogy is highly acclaimed as the most successful. Among all the research on Updike's Rabbit tetralogy, little is done from the perspective of the plight and the predicament of the protagonist. Therefore, this thesis is intended to examine the predicament Rabbit confronts from the following three aspects: the conflict between the authentic self and social demands; the conflict between religious faith and religiosity and the conflict between family members. By inquiring and probing the mind of Rabbit, the thesis will help the readers make an in-depth comprehension of the spiritual world and the living conditions of the protagonist and the middle class he represents. Likewise, it also provides a new angle of viewing contemporary America, thus enables the readers to understand American society, culture and history as well.