The passage reflects the character’s appreciation for vegetarian food, highlighting his aversion to meat and the violence associated with it. He finds joy in consuming meals that are devoid of the remnants of slaughtered animals. The description points to a preference for the vibrant and wholesome qualities of vegetables, which resonate with his desire for innocent and untainted eating experiences.
This perspective illustrates a broader theme of morality and the connection to food choices in Updike's "Rabbit, Run." The character's enjoyment of plant-based meals emphasizes a longing for purity and an escape from the harsh realities of life, symbolized by the “bloody” evidence of animal death, further advocating for a kinder relationship with nature and food.
