DescriptionJohn Updike in Rabbit, Run and Toni Morrison in Song of Solomon extensively use religion and mythology as themes throughout their works, but in strikingly different ways. Updike was a practicing Christian and student of Christian theology all of his life. Two of his greatest influences were neo-Orthodox theologian Karl Barth and philosopher Soren Kierkegaard, illustrated throughout the novel in the portrayals of the protagonist Harry “Rabbit” Angstrom, and Reverend Fritz Kruppenbach, and contrasted sharply to the Reverend Jack Eccles. Updike uses mythology to contrast with the religious themes and overtones of the story. Toni Morrison in Song of Solomon also uses Christian theology, but in a far subtler and different way. Morrison uses the influence of the black church in America on her character portrayals, particularly their names. But Morrison‟s real focus is the African origins of the black church in America, as well as the magic and folklore of Africa.