Essay Comparing A & P 'And Wells Araby'

Walter Wells compares the similar themes and connection between John Updike’s “A&P” and James Joyce’s “Araby”. In addition to the comparison of these two stories, Wells mentions that Updike most likely wrote “A&P” as a second rendition of Araby, but in a different time period and setting. This story by Updike is similar to Joyce’s “Araby” through the inclusion of the Vanity Fair and similar story plots. Like Updike’s main character, Sammy, Joyce’s too is attracted to beautiful girl that is obviously above the reach of both protagonists. Wells call again on the two stories similarities through the usage of whiteness to elaborate on the protagonists fondness for the girls. The similarities between Queenie and Mangan’s sister are taken further to the point of seductive gestures. Wells goes on to compare the pagan setting of the bazaar of Joyce’s “Araby” to Updike’s more spiritual setting of the A&P. Wells contrasts the future of the spiritual society of Updike’s “A&P” through the inappropriate attire of the girls being so different and foreign to those around them. In addition, Wells points out the surprisingly obvious similarities between the two stories as the protagonists both purchase a symbolic item that is relative to each story. The approach of both authoritative figures in the two stories are similar due to the fact that they have power over the individuals they are addressing. Both groups of individuals try and renounce their confronter by simply stating that they are passing through and in a sense mean no …show more content…
His comparison of the two different stories offered advice and concepts that were seemingly unapparent. The parallelism between the two stories is immense and Wells clearly analyzes it. From his work, any reader can clearly see that Updike’s “A&P” is merely another rendition of Joyce’s “Araby” simply using different symbols and