John Updike's Separating

John Updike: “Separating” John Updike has been credited by many as one of the greatest American novelist of the twentieth century. He has written many novels, poems, short stories, and essays. Updike earned many awards for the many works he created. One work of his called, “Separating”, is a great example of a man in a somewhat mid-life crisis where he feels he wants to leave his wife for another woman. In the end there is so much more than that when Richard the husband realizes it will not be as easy as he thought. In “Separating” the contradictory feelings of the main character is all exhibited through the author of the poem, theme of story, historical time period, and significance of the written piece. First, Updike was an ambitious scholar from a young age graduating with honors from high school and college.
Many women during this period were trying to gain more power in America. So it was less common at this point for divorces and because of the recent law passed that helped divorce. One significant divorce that happened in 1973 was Elvis Presley and Priscilla Presley. They had only been married for six years and she received a settlement of $750,000. Another major thing that happened during the 70’s is Watergate. This relates to the story because of all the confusion within the American citizens and how they put their trust in President Nixon and that is how Joan Maples is feeling about Richard.
The last topic is the significance of this piece. I believe that Updike is trying to show that divorce is okay for the right reasons although Richard Maple cannot seem to find why he wants to divorce. I also believe this work is significant because of how closely it is a reflection of his own life. Updike also got a divorce and remarried. He wrote about just losing the feeling of love so I believe that’s what happened with him. He also has four children almost the same age as written in