Separating By John Updlike Summary

Hiding the Truth In John Updlike’s short story, “Separating,” the author focuses on the prevailing issue of divorce and the everlasting effects on the individual family members. The fifteen-year-old son, John, of divorcing parents Joan and Richard masks his true feelings by avoiding real issues with a careless attitude. At the beginning of the story, readers can sense the tension between the family when they are getting ready to sit down at the dinner table together. In detail, John is unaware of what is going on until he notices his father, Richard, crying at the dinner table. Shortly after, John asks his sister in the kitchen, “Why is Daddy crying?” (Updlike 1428). This particular quote leads readers to the detection of unusual behavior