Women and Their Role In Updike's Rabbit, Run
Several common stereotypes of women are put forth in Updike's Rabbit, Run.
Utilizing the characters of Ruth Leonard, Janice, Lucy Eccles, Mrs. Springer, and Mrs.
Angstrom, Updike illustrates many different, classic, stereotypical views of women.
Through these women, examples of the whore, the wife, the (unknowing) temptress, and
the mother are presented. By examining each of these women, we learn about women as a
whole, and what they can be. There is no single dimension or picture of what a woman is,
or, for that matter, of what a human being is. The women in this novel are very
representational of images that are perpetuated by society. Updike illustrates several of
the innumerable aspects of a woman and womankind through his use of characters that,
while seemingly different from a distance, are not so dissimilar upon examination. They
are all, in some way, a form of protection standing between Rabbit and the outside world.
(Trachtenberg, 96) He shows, through the various portrayals of women, how society
views and classifies them. He makes them similar in many ways to show that a woman
can not easily be stereotyped because of the many dimensions to the female, and the
Ruth Leonard joins the ranks of such famous literary images as Mary Magdalene,
as she is representative of the whore. While the historical basis for Mary Magdalene's
reputation as a prostitute is shaky at best, Ruth Leonard is a self-admitted and properly
described prostitute. She exchanges sexual favors for money so that she can continue to
live an independent lifestyle unhampered by any man or other person. Ruth uses her body
to get what she needs because she does not have the confidence to trust her mind. Yet,
there is little of the cold-hearted and businesslike whore in her character. Her self-esteem
is quite low, and she allows Rabbit to run all ...