On August 20, 2014 another thesis on John Updike was listed on Shodh ganga: a reservoir of Indian theses. The 274-page thesis, in English, came out of Aligarh Muslim University in Uttar Pradesh. The researcher-author, Tehreem Zehra, wrote about the “Idea of America in select novels of John Updike.”

Abstract:
A literature which emerged out of the roots of wilderness managed to wipe out the stain of plagiarism whenever accused by the already rich and mature European typewriters outpourings and has always been ready to reform itself through the oeuvre of distinguished writers of the nation in every literary era. What Hawthorne did for American Puritanism was further carried out by Updike in his literary career through 20th century America. Beginning with Rabbit series which make up the backbone of his literary outburst he seldom eulogises the American spirit of adultery selfishness capitalism consumerism and wavering faith. He puts his heart and soul to reform the deteriorating self and values of his nation.