Rabbit, Run Chapter Summary & Analysis - Section 1 (through page 48) Summary

Section 1 Summary (through page 48)

The first few pages of the novel introduce the character of Rabbit Angstrom, whose real name is Harry. Rabbit, we learn, is his childhood knick name and he is now 26. We first see him standing watching some inner city kids play basketball. He is described as a somewhat frightening figure smoking a cigarette and wearing a dark suit. The children wonder why an older man is hanging around and wonder if he wants to take them "in back of the ice plant" (which we understand means for sexual molestation). For his part Rabbit thinks about how young people make older people feel old.

A stray bounce brings the ball to Rabbit and he makes a basket from long range. He then starts to play with the kids, and his skill and height make him a formidable adversary, even when he plays with only one teammate against five others. Rabbit...
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