Religious Thought Of The "rabbit, Run" Resolution

John Updike is generally acknowledged as one of the most famous contemporary American writers. Religion has always been Updike's major concern both in his personal life and in his literary career. Updike has shown a serious interest in contemporary religious thought, which is also an important theme in his works. Rabbit, Run is the first novel of his"Rabbit's Tetralogy". This novel tells a story about how Harry Angstrom, nicknamed Rabbit, who is not satisfied with life without faith, tries to escape from the restriction of social conformity to pursue his belief.This thesis focuses on the author's religious ideas and systematically analyzes how his religious ideas are presented in Rabbit, Run. The thesis consists of six parts. Following the introduction are four chapters and the conclusion, which expound and summarize the core of the thesis, Updike's religious views in Rabbit, Run. In the introduction Updike's literary achievements and the story of the novel are briefly introduced. Chapter One deals with the elements that help to form Updike's religious ideas and the characteristics of his religious ideas. Chapter Two analyzes how Harry, the protagonist of the novel, pursues his religion by running away from the reality and the effects of the four"causes". Chapter Three deals with how Christianity loses its power for offering people spiritual sustenance by portraying two modern Christianity ministers and a prostitute. Chapter Four discusses how Updike presents his religious ideas by describing the imagery of religion and mythology in this novel. The last part is the conclusion.