Characterization, Courage, And Consequences In A & P By John Updike

In the story, “A&P”, John Updike introduces a young boy, Sammy, who is employed in an A&P grocery and finds his awareness towards maturity, which leads to consequences. The author illustrates this through the use of detailed characterization, bravery, and consequences brought from one’s actions. The passage starts off with Sammy working when he sees three girls wearing nothing but bathing suits and labels each one individually. Later on, the girls walk up to Sammy to check out when Lengel, the store manger, confronts them about their apparel attire and Sammy takes action, possibly making a big mistake. Updike uses Sammy to suggest how being impulsive can lead to actions that’ll cause one to mature and bring consequences.
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Sammy’s personality transitions after the girls’ scandalous attire has captured Lengel’s attention, making him walk to Sammy’s checkout line. When Lengel comes over he informs the girls that the store “isn’t the beach” (Updike 92) and how, “We want you decently dressed when you come in here” (Updike 93). Sammy begins to feel sorry for the girls as he notices one of the girls blushing. He’s upset at Lengel for he continues to embarrass the girls in front of everyone, when suddenly Sammy sees this as an opportunity to stand up for the girls. What he does not know is that his soon to be actions, may not bring out the best for him and be their knight in shining armor. After being embarrassed by Lengel, the girls walk towards the exit, and as they’re walking away Sammy announces, “I quit” (Updike 93) hoping that he’s noticed by the girls and be “their unsuspected hero” (Updike 93). Little does he know that his impulsive decision may have been a mistake for trying to look courageous in front of a couple of