How Does Run Rabbit Run End? Exploring Updike’s Ambiguous Finale
The ending of John Updike’s Run Rabbit Run is deliberately ambiguous, leaving readers to grapple with Rabbit Angstrom’s fate. He’s last seen running towards his wife Janice after the tragic death of their baby daughter, leaving his future, and his capacity for change, uncertain.
Rabbit’s Perpetual Flight: A Summary of Themes
Run Rabbit Run, published in 1960, is more than just a snapshot of a small-town man experiencing a mid-life crisis. It’s a profound exploration of the American psyche, grappling with themes of societal expectations, existential angst, and the seductive allure of freedom, even if that freedom is rooted in irresponsibility. The novel paints a portrait of a man, Rabbit Angstrom, perpetually in flight from the responsibilities and commitments of adulthood. He’s a former high school basketball star, now struggling to find meaning in his ordinary life as a demonstration cookware salesman. He’s searching for something more, though he’s unable to articulate exactly what that “more” entails.
The Catalyst for Catastrophe
Rabbit’s dissatisfaction with his marriage to Janice, a housewife struggling with alcoholism and depression, fuels his desire to escape. He embarks on an affair with Ruth Leonard, a former prostitute, who provides him with a fleeting sense of belonging and passion. This affair further fractures his already fragile family life. The tragic drowning of his and Janice’s baby daughter, Becky, serves as the ultimate catalyst, shattering the already unstable foundation of Rabbit’s world and propelling him towards the uncertain ending.
Ambiguity as a Literary Device
Updike deliberately avoids providing a clear resolution to Rabbit’s internal conflict. This ambiguity is a central aspect of the novel’s power. By leaving Rabbit’s ultimate fate uncertain, Updike forces the reader to confront the messy, unresolved realities of human existence. Is Rabbit destined to repeat his patterns of escape and self-destruction? Or will he finally find a way to embrace responsibility and commitment? The answer, Updike suggests, lies within Rabbit himself, and remains unwritten.
The Significance of Running
The act of running, both literally and figuratively, is central to Rabbit’s character. He runs from his responsibilities, his commitments, and ultimately, himself. In the final scene, Rabbit is running towards Janice, but the reader is left to question his motivations. Is he running towards her out of genuine remorse and a desire to reconcile? Or is he simply running out of options, seeking refuge in the familiar comfort of his marriage? The novel provides no easy answers.
Run Rabbit Run: A Summary Table
| Key Element | Description | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Rabbit Angstrom | Protagonist; former basketball star, struggling with adulthood | Represents the disillusionment of post-war American society and the search for meaning and purpose. |
| Janice Angstrom | Rabbit’s wife; struggling with alcoholism and depression | Represents the constraints and limitations of domestic life, a life Rabbit is desperate to escape. |
| Ruth Leonard | Rabbit’s mistress; a former prostitute | Represents a fleeting sense of freedom and passion, but also a reminder of the moral consequences of Rabbit’s actions. |
| Becky Angstrom | Rabbit and Janice’s baby daughter | Represents the ultimate consequence of Rabbit’s irresponsibility and the fragility of life. |
| Running | Recurring motif | Symbolizes Rabbit’s perpetual flight from responsibility and his inability to confront his inner demons. |
| Ambiguous Ending | The novel concludes with Rabbit running towards Janice, his ultimate fate uncertain | Challenges the reader to confront the messy, unresolved realities of human existence and the difficulty of genuine change. |
The Lasting Impact of Run Rabbit Run
Run Rabbit Run remains a powerful and relevant novel because it dares to explore the uncomfortable truths about human nature. It doesn’t offer easy answers or tidy resolutions. Instead, it leaves the reader to grapple with the complexities of Rabbit’s character and the ambiguous nature of life itself.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About The Ending of Run Rabbit Run
1. Does Rabbit stay with Janice at the end?
It’s impossible to say for sure. The novel concludes with Rabbit running towards Janice after the death of their baby, Becky. Whether he remains with her, or this is a temporary move before another escape, is left open to interpretation. His future is uncertain, highlighting the ambiguous nature of his commitment.
2. What does the death of Becky symbolize?
Becky’s death represents the devastating consequences of Rabbit’s irresponsibility and the fragility of life. It shatters the already unstable foundation of his family and serves as a tragic turning point in the novel.
3. Is Rabbit a sympathetic character?
Rabbit is a complex and flawed character. While he is often selfish and irresponsible, he is also searching for something meaningful in his life. Whether he is sympathetic is a matter of individual interpretation.
4. What is the significance of the title, Run Rabbit Run?
The title is a reference to a children’s song and perfectly captures Rabbit’s compulsion to flee from responsibility and commitment. He is constantly running away from situations he finds uncomfortable or challenging.
5. Why did Updike choose to leave the ending so ambiguous?
Updike’s choice to leave the ending ambiguous reflects his belief that life is rarely clear-cut or easily resolved. He wanted to challenge the reader to confront the messy, unresolved realities of human existence and the difficulty of genuine change.
6. Does Rabbit love Janice?
Rabbit’s feelings for Janice are complex and ambivalent. He is drawn to her familiarity and the comfort of their shared history, but he also resents her for the limitations she represents. His love is conditional and flawed.
7. Does Rabbit ever truly take responsibility for his actions?
That is arguable at best. While he experiences moments of remorse and regret, he ultimately avoids taking full responsibility for the consequences of his choices, constantly shifting the blame onto others or circumstances.
8. What does Ruth represent in Rabbit’s life?
Ruth represents a fleeting sense of freedom and passion that Rabbit craves. She offers him an escape from the constraints of his marriage and the monotony of his everyday life, but ultimately she cannot provide him with lasting happiness or fulfillment.
9. Is Rabbit destined to repeat his patterns of behavior?
The ending suggests that Rabbit’s capacity for change is limited. He seems trapped in a cycle of escape and self-destruction, unable to break free from his destructive patterns. Whether he will ultimately change remains uncertain.
10. What is the overall message of Run Rabbit Run?
The novel explores themes of societal expectations, existential angst, and the search for meaning in a disillusioned post-war American society. It challenges the reader to confront the complexities of human nature and the difficulties of finding true happiness and fulfillment.
11. How does the ending tie into the rest of the novel?
The ambiguous ending reinforces the themes of escapism, irresponsibility, and the perpetual search for something “more” that run throughout the novel. It serves as a culmination of Rabbit’s journey, leaving his ultimate fate uncertain.
12. What impact did the publication of Run Rabbit Run have?
Run Rabbit Run was a controversial and influential novel that captured the mood of a generation. It sparked discussions about the changing roles of men and women in American society and the search for meaning in a rapidly changing world, setting the stage for Updike’s Rabbit series.