The Power in "The Rumor"; on John Updike's "The Rumor"

The Power in "The Rumor" John Updike's story "The Rumor" is about the struggle of a married couple to maintain their normal (and rather boring) existence amid rumors that Frank Whittier, the husband in this modern couple, is having a homosexual affair with a young man. The rumor that begins the story brings a sense of tension between Frank and his wife, Sharon. This tension is heightened by the way that Frank at once denies …

…different and more powerful person. Although some readers might disagree with the way Frank handled the situation and the way he treated his wife, both past and present, the fact remains that Frank has a decent head on his shoulders. Because of the way in which he flipped a bad situation into a positive one, the way he met his wife's challenge, and the power he found within himself, Frank Whittier becomes an interesting character.