Theme in “A & P”: Transition From Adolescence To Maturity and Sexual Difference An independent life has always been essential in our society where we want to control our lives and stand up for ourselves, especially during our adolescence. In “A & P,” John Updike focuses on the narrator, Sammy, who is left to face the consequences after his chivalrous yet immature act goes unnoticed by Queenie and her friends. Updike utilizes character development to emphasize that Sammy’s immaturity results from his arrogance, scornfulness, and judgmental attitude.
First and foremost, Sammy, a young man who works as a cashier in a grocery store, exhibits a character full of disrespect and arrogance throughout the story. The mere fact that he does not seem to care to give some respect to other people reflects his own immaturity. For instance, he describes his customer as “a witch about fifty with rouge on her cheekbones and no eyebrows” (Updike 18). As he continuously narrates to us how the woman could have been burned in Salem if only she’d been born at the right time, it clearly shows how transparent his scornfulness is in the entire story. Sammy routinely deals with customers for whom …show more content…
The way he provides a detailed description of the setting like “up the cat-and-dog-food-breakfast-cereal-macaroni-rice-raisins-seasoning-spreads-spaghetti-soft-drinks-crackers-and-cookies aisle” clearly explains that he has been working at the A & P for a very long time (Updike ). After being frustrated with his work and recognizing the advantages of working in the summer rather than the winter, he plans to remain an employee until he can find a reason to justify his resignation. In the long run, Sammy’s arrogance, scornfulness, and lack of respect or courtesy toward his customers and co-workers can’t help himself transition from teenager to adulthood. After all, a grown adult treats everyone with kindness and respect without being
First and foremost, Sammy, a young man who works as a cashier in a grocery store, exhibits a character full of disrespect and arrogance throughout the story. The mere fact that he does not seem to care to give some respect to other people reflects his own immaturity. For instance, he describes his customer as “a witch about fifty with rouge on her cheekbones and no eyebrows” (Updike 18). As he continuously narrates to us how the woman could have been burned in Salem if only she’d been born at the right time, it clearly shows how transparent his scornfulness is in the entire story. Sammy routinely deals with customers for whom …show more content…
The way he provides a detailed description of the setting like “up the cat-and-dog-food-breakfast-cereal-macaroni-rice-raisins-seasoning-spreads-spaghetti-soft-drinks-crackers-and-cookies aisle” clearly explains that he has been working at the A & P for a very long time (Updike ). After being frustrated with his work and recognizing the advantages of working in the summer rather than the winter, he plans to remain an employee until he can find a reason to justify his resignation. In the long run, Sammy’s arrogance, scornfulness, and lack of respect or courtesy toward his customers and co-workers can’t help himself transition from teenager to adulthood. After all, a grown adult treats everyone with kindness and respect without being