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RUcore Resource Object
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TitleReligion, myth, magic, and folklore in Rabbit, Run and Song of Solomon
NameBogatin, Rachel K. (author), Charme, Stuart (chair), Drucker, Richard (internal member), Rutgers University, Camden Graduate School,
Degree Date2011-05
Date Created2011
SubjectJohn Updike,
Liberal Studies,
Updike, John--Literary themes, motives,
Morrison, Toni--Literary themes, motives,
Updike, John--Rabbit, Run,
Morrison, Toni--Song of Solomon
DescriptionJohn Updike in Rabbit, Run and Toni Morrison in Song of Solomon extensively use religion and mythology as themes throughout their works, but in strikingly different ways. Updike was a practicing Christian and student of Christian theology all of his life. Two of his greatest influences were neo-Orthodox theologian Karl Barth and philosopher Soren Kierkegaard, illustrated throughout the novel in the portrayals of the protagonist Harry “Rabbit” Angstrom, and Reverend Fritz Kruppenbach, and contrasted sharply to the Reverend Jack Eccles. Updike uses mythology to contrast with the religious themes and overtones of the story. Toni Morrison in Song of Solomon also uses Christian theology, but in a far subtler and different way. Morrison uses the influence of the black church in America on her character portrayals, particularly their names. But Morrison‟s real focus is the African origins of the black church in America, as well as the magic and folklore of Africa.
NoteM.A.L.S.
NoteIncludes bibliographical references
Noteby Rachel K. Bogatin
Genretheses
Persistent URLhttp://hdl.rutgers.edu/1782.1/rucore10005600001.ETD.000061019
Languageeng
CollectionCamden Graduate School Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Organization NameRutgers, The State University of New Jersey
RightsThe author owns the copyright to this work.