Harry Angstrom, byname Rabbit, fictional character, the protagonist of four novels by John UpdikeRabbit, Run (1960) and

its sequels. Rabbit Angstrom is an ordinary middle-class man lost in the sterility of the modern world.. Harry "Rabbit" Angstrom is 26, has a job selling a kitchen gadget named MagiPeeler, and is married to Janice, a former salesgirl at the store where he worked. They have a two-year-old son named Nelson, and live in Mount Judge, a suburb of Brewer, Pennsylvania. He believes that his marriage is corrupt and something is missing from his life: Having been a basketball star in high school, Harry finds his middle-class family life unsatisfying. On the spur of the moment, he decides to leave his family and drive south in an attempt to "escape". However, after getting lost, he returns to his home town. Not wanting to return to his family, he instead visits his old basketball coach, Marty Tothero. Hes kind of a free spirit. Which is part of why the old ball and chain is dragging him down. And we dont mean the basketball hes so fond of. Were talking about Janice, his pregnant wife, and his son Nelson. Dont get us wrong. He definitely loves the little guy, and perhaps even his wife, too. Its just that Rabbit is still a kid himself. Or, more precisely, like most of us hes trying to grow up and stay a kid. At least he wants to bring the best of his pre-adult life up into adulthood with him. In John Updikes famous novel, Rabbit, Run, the main character, Harry Angstrom, is given both the qualities of a hero, as well as a villain. Updike leaves the decision of judging Harry in the hands of his audience, the reader. To begin, Updike first introduces us to Harry Angstrom, the basketball star. While in his youth Harry earned his nickname, Rabbit, because he was such a swift runner as he dribbled the ball down the court. While watching some neighborhood kids in the street, Rabbit remembers the feeling of being a true basketball hero. Rabbit joins the kids playing basketball and suddenly feels, "like hes reaching down through the years to touch this tautness" (Updike 6) as he takes a shot. Harry Angstrom thus realizes that he does not have that same spark he once had as a youth. He is willing to accept the fact that he cannot play his sport as well as he used to. Although, Angstrom is unable to come to the realization that he is no longer the hero he used to be, not only in his sport, but also in his life. Rabbits life consisted of a series of traps set for him by society. He cannot translate his athletic experience of excellence to a comprehension of why he cannot succeed in his own life, especially in his marriage. It is because of this, that Harry Angstrom can be portrayed as a villainous character. In order to escape these traps, Harry chose to serve his own self interests rather than the interests of others, such as his wife and children. In another way, the death of the baby can also be used as evidence in judging Harry. Although Harry was not physically there at the time the death occurred, some family and community members continue to blame him. Janice is physically responsible; she is the one who "accidentally" drowned the young girl. In addition she is an alcoholic and an emotionally weak person. However, many argue that Harry was the one who drove Janice to her actions by leaving her in the first place. As Janices father mentions, "I wont say I dont blame you because of course I do. But youre not the only one to blame" (Updike 234). Her father believes Harry is a villain for being partly responsible for killing his child, though he is a hero, for taking such a huge risk as running away. When Harry left his family he also needed to realize that he must take responsibility for his actions. The death of his daughter was part his fault as well as Janices fault. It took two people to create this human being, and it took two to destroy it. Harry left his house and family knowing that they were dependent on him as both a father and husband. He is now reaping the consequences of his actions.

Throughout the novel, Harry Angstrom makes a conscious attempt to reject the "net" of responsibility and the world around him. "His life seems a sequence of grotesque poses assumed to no purpose, a magic dance empty of belief" (Updike 170). Society has set a series of standards in which we are expected to live by. Each and every one of us is judged by our family, friends, and other members of society based on how we meet these specific standards. According to his family, Harry failed and they considered him to be a villain. Although, Harry is indeed a hero at heart. Even though he did not meet societys standards, he met his own standards in a unique way. He is a hero for taking a risk and leaving his responsibility behind to heal himself. Harry risked criticism, as well as rejection from society for his actions, yet believed that this was the best resolution for his own well being as well as for his familys. Harry Angstrom may have faults, like all other human beings, though he truly is a hero at heart.