Dorian Gray And Rabbit Run Comparison

Despite a difference of seventy years and the distance of the Atlantic Ocean, Rabbit, Run by John Updike and The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde present striking similarities in their characters and themes. While I initially could not draw the connections between the two novels, I now recognize the many ways in which the authors criticize and analyzed their own environments through their works. I believe that the lessons on the dangers of societal influence and the nature of ethics that Rabbit, Run and The Picture of Dorian Gray explored were not only paramount subjects in their own times, but in the modern day as well.

The two main characters of the novels represent the ideal man in their respective society. Harry “Rabbit” Angstrom’s

family appeared to fit the idyll of the American Dream. With a growing nuclear family and even high school fame, his community, Mt. Judge, had a difficult time understanding what drove Rabbit away from his home. Although Rabbit’s neighbors were easily fooled by his seemingly flawless life, a closer look unveiled the complacency and emptiness of the Angstrom household. Harry’s wife, Janice, was not the perfect homemaker and mother she was seen as, but actually a pregnant drunk. Their practically newlywed status held no bearing on their relationship, as the the couple’s love for eachother had already faltered. Harry even states that he does not know her very well, despite their matrimony. The realization of his unhappiness drove him to pursue what his community saw as vices. Similarly to Harry, Dorian was known amongst the city as the perfect man. He was handsome, intelligent, and wealthy: all qualities his British society valued. However, his naivete made him vulnerable to Lord Henry’s corruption. Both characters abandoned their “acceptable” lifestyles for a world of sin.
The novels share a common theme: society’s superficial values can lead to tragedy.

Despite a reputation for egocentrism and ruining lives, Dorian’s community permits his corrupt behavior because of his appearance and wealth. His society’s permittance of his actions led to Dorian’s downfall and eventual death. Rabbit is too gravely affected by his society. His community harshly critiques him for leaving his family in pursuit of happiness. Rather than attempting to understand Rabbit’s life crisis, his society pressures him to conform to their American standards, regardless of whether or not he is content. Because of the strong societal influence.The books also touch on the motifs of morality and desire. In Dorian’s case, he is presented with two opposing sides of behavior: good or evil. These ways of life are represented in Basil (good) and Lord Henry (evil). While Basil encourages Dorian to cease his selfish recklessness and repent, Lord Henry takes advantage of Dorian’s lack of individuality and taints his soul with hedonistic philosophy. Ironically, while Basil and Lord Henry both preach their rectitude to Dorian, neither of them actually abide by their own ideology. In reality, Lord Henry was a proper Victorian gentleman and Basil was (according to his society's standards) inappropriately infatuated with Dorian. Jack Eccles of Rabbit, Run also played the role of a hypocritical moralizer. In his attempt to return Harry to his wife, Eccles reveals his misplaced interest in

his life. Eccles struggled with his faith despite being a minister, and other religious leaders saw his discomfort as well. This is apparent when through Minister Kruppenbach, Updike states on page 253, “"You [Eccles] have no seriousness. Don’t you believe in damnation? Don’t you know, when you put that collar on, what you risked?". I believe that Eccles was living vicariously through Rabbit as a way to escape his own discontent. Like Basil to Dorian, Eccles works to purge Rabbit’s transgressions while ignoring his own motives.
The settings of the novels are crucial because they allowed for the stories to speak about the nature of its environment in regards to Britain and the United States. The authors used their characters and their plights as a way to criticize the flaws in their societies. Dorian was used as a prop to draw attention to the trivial values of British society. I also believe that Dorian’s struggle between Basil and Lord Henry’s philosophies represent society’s failure to acknowledge the value in living with indulgence in addition to morality. As Wilde wrote on page 250, “Each of us has heaven and hell in him.” and it would be an injustice to deny either side. Similarly, John Updike uses Rabbit’s life in the American landscape to expose an unpleasant perspective of the American Dream. Commonly thought of the quintessential lifestyle, Rabbit’s life uncovers the feelings of inadequacy and confinement in modern America.
In order to understand the power of The Picture of Dorian Gray, one must acknowledge the publishing process of the book.

Prior to 1890, Wilde had difficulties in getting his work published because of its portrayal of homosexuality. Eventually the book was published, but not without several modifications in its content. Although the novel had been censored to prevent scandal, the edits did not prevent the British’s outrage. The reaction to The Picture of Dorian Gray proves the novel’s stance on the superficiality of society. Rather than condemning Dorian’s debauchery and violence, the British chose to scrutinize one of the more arbitrary elements of the story. Rabbit, Run was also denounced for its sexually explicit content rather than the issues of identity and

ethics.
John Updike and Oscar Wilde chose to defy their societal limitations and venture into topics their peers were reluctant to discuss. Their courage to discuss pressing issues such as morality and the importance of balance created an opportunity for their societies to question their moral values. Rabbit, Run and The Picture of Dorian Gray provoke all readers to explore their own values and to question right and wrong.