“Rabbit, Run” by John Updike (post 4): Part II on his protagonist’s name, Harry “Rabbit” Angstrom

Updike was happy with his height (6’3”), but he was unhappy with his mouth and nose. His mouth stuttered and his nose was too big.

In the first paragraph of the novel, “Rabbit Angstrom” is described as “six three,” with “a nervous flutter under his brief nose.” His nose is later described as “a neat smooth button” (1, p. 139).

Updike’s stuttering has been reduced to a “flutter.” His big nose has been reduced to a “button.”

The first paragraph adds that his nickname was given to him when he was a boy.

So I infer that Updike, as a boy, wished for his stuttering to be eliminated and his nose to be reduced in size. His alternate personality, Rabbit, resulted.

1. John Updike. Rabbit, Run. New York, Fawcett Books, 1960.