John Updike was an American novelist, poet, and short story writer. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1932 and was a prolific writer who published many novels, short stories, poems, and other works. Some of his most famous works include Rabbit Run, Couples, and the Rabbit series. Updike received numerous honors including two Pulitzer Prizes and two National Medals of Arts. He was praised for his careful craftsmanship and ability to capture the nuances of middle-class American life. Updike passed away in 2009 after a long and celebrated writing career spanning over five decades.

1. John UpdikeBy: Cara Hennahane and Miles Jaben

2. Segment 1 – HistoryBorn in Shillington, Pennsylvania on March 18th, 1932Only child, lived with parents and grandparentsLoved consumed popular fiction - especially humor and mysteries, gifted at drawinglifelong churchgoer, student of Christian theologyMother was also a writer, encouraged him to write and drawExcelled in school - president and co-valedictorian of his class at Shillington High SchoolGraduated Summa Cum Laude from Harvard 1954, majored in EnglishWrote stories, drew cartoons for Harvard Lampoon magazine, was magazines president senior yearBefore graduating, married fellow student Mary E. PenningtonAfter graduating, spent a year studying art in England, studied at Oxford's Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Art.Had 3 childrenAfter England, came back to America, worked at The New Yorker

3. Segment 1 – History cont.First stories appeared at The New Yorker, worked there for almost two years, remained a regular contributor until death.Later in 1950s, left The New Yorker and left NYC with familySettled in Ipswich, Massachusetts to become at home, full time writerHis work achieved through dedicated, steady work.His books were said to be “the fruit of patience, leisure, and craft.”In 1970s, Updike traveled as a cultural ambassador of the United StatesSeparated from his wife Mary in 1974Moved to Boston and briefly taught at Boston UniversityTwo years later, divorced wife Mary1977 he married Martha RugglesBernhardSettled with her and her three children in Georgetown, Massachusetts.Spent his last years in Beverly Farms, MassachusettsDied of lung cancer in 2009

4. Segment 2 – Awards, Honors and Important WorksHis first novel published in 1958 called The Poorhouse FairSince first novel, not only published many novels and stories but also seven books of poetry, a play, and large store of book reviews and other writingsBook of poetry - The Carpentered Hen and Other Tame Creatures, published by Harper and Brothers, 1958Most admired by some readers as author of the “Olinger” storiesReaders say a sense of life is found in his stories, novels and poetryWrote 5 childrens books - the magic flute (1962) the ring (1964) a child’s calendar (1965) bottoms dream (1969) and a helpful alphabet of friendly objects (1995)Said to be our era’s most sensitive craftsman of personal and social manners1963, received the National Book Award for novel The Centaur, inspired by childhood in PN1964, age 32, became the youngest person ever elected to the National Institute of Arts and LettersWas invited by State Department to tour Europe as part of a cultural exchange program between US and USSR

5. Segment 2 – Awards, Honors, and Important Works cont.1968, novel Couples created a national sensationCouples stayed on the best-seller lists for over a yearCouples lead to Time magazine cover story featuring UpdikeRabbit is Rich, 1981 - received many awards, most notably - Pulitzer Prize for Fiction1983, published Bechis Back, prompted second Time magazine cover story – Going Great at 501991, received second Pulitzer Prize for Rabbit at Rest – 3rd American to win a 2nd Pulitzer Prize in fictionFamously identified sex, art, and religion as "the three great secret things" in human experienceGrandson of a Presbyterian minister, all writings had philosophical questionsawarded Campion Award from Jesuit Magazine of America ,1997 received National Medal of Art from President Bush1989, and 2003 received National Medal for the Humanities from President George W. Bush. One of very few Americans to receive both these honors2008, last book - The Widows of Eastwick- sequel to 1984 novel, The Witches of Eastwick.

6. Segment 3- Summary of John Updike’s “Seperating”In this story Richard and his wife Joan’s marriage has been falling apart and they don’t seem to even enjoy each other’s company anymore. The story centers around this couple’s separation. It is never made clear the exact reason for the ending of the marriage; although it is made known that it is Richard’s decision to leave. The story follows the family through the decision of how to tell their kids about their separation up to each of their different reactions. In this story some traits you would associate with a dominant male figure are inherited by Joan, the wife, and some actions you would expect from a female are taken on by Richard. For example at the dinner table Richard starts to cry uncontrollably and his wife, Joan, seems to stay cool, calm, and collected during the whole ordeal of revealing their decision of separating. When they break the news each child reacts differently, his daughters both stayed pretty calm, his son John flipped out and had to be consoled on a walk by his father. Richard picked up his son Dickie from the train station to break the news to him on the ride home. Dickie took the news in stride and went to bed so he could get up early for work. Although right at the end when he goes to kiss him goodnight he whispers in his father’s ear, “why?”. This was like “a knife thrust” to Richard and then he seems to have forgotten why he wanted to separate in the first place.

7. Segment 3- Analysis of “Separating”John Updike’s short story “Separating” focuses on what a modern day family is like, it is just another classic example of how he is such a great writer when it comes to “middleness” in America. This story was very detailed and descriptive when dealing with the character’s emotions and actions. This is a story I am sure a lot of Americans can relate to with either going through a divorce themselves or being a kid and having your mom and dad separate. John Updike is known for taking things that middle America goes through and putting them in a light that his readers can relate to and “Separating” is a prime example of this. He shows the family member’s different feelings and aspects to show how something can affect everyone in different ways.

8. Works CitedThe Norton Anthology, American Literature. (2007). New York, London: W.W. Norton and Company. Retrieved March, 23rd 2010Liukkonen, Petri (2008). Retrieved March 23rd, 2009. http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/updike.htm