The journey from adolescence to adulthood, is easily one of the most difficult developments a person endures throughout their life. While some individuals flourish, others find it difficult to be responsible for their own lives. In some instances, growing up doesn’t always mean leaving home, but rather overcoming the challenge of exposing who you are and what you want to do with your life. In the story “A&P” by John Updike, the author illustrates a young boy at the age of eighteen during the 1950’s. Sammy, the main character, is an average kid who works as a cashier in a grocery store, however he is fascinated by the sight of three teenage girls who walk in in nothing but bathing suits. The story follows Sammy’s “relationship” with these girls
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They treat people badly to make themselves feel more accomplished. In other words Sammy and Jack are arrogant to the individuals around them. The setting in A&P is quite important in understanding Sammy’s character. In the 1950’s men were dominant, and women were expected to be the stereotypical housewife, men objectified women as to make them seem lesser. Sammy proved himself sexist when when describing the girls, he only noticed their appearances because that's what he was taught at a young age, most likely by the other men in his life. “This one, and a tall one with black hair that hadn’t quite frizzed right.” (Updike 1) This relates to the fact that Sammy is arrogant because it shows how highly he thinks of himself. He acts like he can just look at a girl and determine whether she's good enough for him or not. He also objectifies these girls by not even referring to them with proper pronouns, and only noticing their appearances. Sammy will soon grow up to realize that women are more than just objects but rather, smart, strong individuals who deserve the same respect as men. By using derogatory terms the author reveals Sammy’s arrogance “ A few house-slaves in pin curlers even looked around after pushing carts past to make sure what they had seen was correct.” (Updike 2) By referring to these women as “house-slaves” he tries to monopolize them, act as if they have no purpose except to do what he or any man wants when they want it. He also mentions their “pin curlers” as to make a note of their appearance since that’s all he believes they are good for. He makes them out to be objects of sex, he only notices a woman based off of weather they are pretty enough for his attention. Jack too is arrogant in some sections of Lies. He acts like he is above people because he has a job or he’s graduated high school. However little does he know those are only a few of life's many challenges. Jack acts in
They treat people badly to make themselves feel more accomplished. In other words Sammy and Jack are arrogant to the individuals around them. The setting in A&P is quite important in understanding Sammy’s character. In the 1950’s men were dominant, and women were expected to be the stereotypical housewife, men objectified women as to make them seem lesser. Sammy proved himself sexist when when describing the girls, he only noticed their appearances because that's what he was taught at a young age, most likely by the other men in his life. “This one, and a tall one with black hair that hadn’t quite frizzed right.” (Updike 1) This relates to the fact that Sammy is arrogant because it shows how highly he thinks of himself. He acts like he can just look at a girl and determine whether she's good enough for him or not. He also objectifies these girls by not even referring to them with proper pronouns, and only noticing their appearances. Sammy will soon grow up to realize that women are more than just objects but rather, smart, strong individuals who deserve the same respect as men. By using derogatory terms the author reveals Sammy’s arrogance “ A few house-slaves in pin curlers even looked around after pushing carts past to make sure what they had seen was correct.” (Updike 2) By referring to these women as “house-slaves” he tries to monopolize them, act as if they have no purpose except to do what he or any man wants when they want it. He also mentions their “pin curlers” as to make a note of their appearance since that’s all he believes they are good for. He makes them out to be objects of sex, he only notices a woman based off of weather they are pretty enough for his attention. Jack too is arrogant in some sections of Lies. He acts like he is above people because he has a job or he’s graduated high school. However little does he know those are only a few of life's many challenges. Jack acts in