Study Guide

Rabbit, Run Chapter 19

By John Updike

Chapter 19

Jack tells Lucy that Mrs. Springer has called and told him about the baby’s death, and that he needs to look for Rabbit, who he loves.
They argue about his involvement with Rabbit and she claims that, if Eccles hadn’t meddled, this wouldn’t have happened.
He takes this to mean that she thinks he’s responsible for the baby’s death.
She apologizes, but he agrees with her.
She asks what motivated him, and he claims it was a belief that all marriages, even awful ones, are sacred.
They argue and he thinks of calling Ruth, but Rabbit calls from a pharmacy in Brewer, because he couldn’t reach Janice by phone, and Eccles breaks the news to him.