Maturity In John Updike's A & P

John Updike’s short story “A&P” demonstrates a theme of maturation. In this coming-of-age story, the protagonist, Sammy, makes an impulsive decision to quit his job in order to impress the three girls he has become fixated on. Regrettably for Sammy, his childish actions go unnoticed by the girls and now Sammy is left to face the consequences. Though in the heat of the moment Sammy’s actions appear to be chivalrous, his judgemental attitude, disrespectful personality, and sexists beliefs prove them to be more actions of immaturity instead. First of all, Updike shows Sammy’s immaturity through his judgemental thoughts about those around him. He calls the shoppers “sheep pushing their carts down the aisle,” - suggesting that they follow one another blindly and that they are unintelligent (149). Furthermore, Sammy judges his coworkers for the way they are studying the girls. He seems to be condemning them, while not appearing to realize that he has been doing the same thing. For example, when he notices McMahon “sizing up their joints,” he says he feels sorry for the girls (150). Sammy, without a second thought, judges his coworker for the exact same mistake he is making himself. Also, Sammy immediately makes a judgement about Queenie, who he assumes is the leader of the group, based only on the sound of her voice. …show more content…
His actions and attitudes throughout “A&P” continue to be judgmental and inconsiderate. Based only on impression, he feels he has got everyone figured out, never considering the possibility that he may be wrong. His lack of respect for his elders prevents him from learning from their mistakes, therefore he makes the huge mistake of quitting his job. His blatant sexism also causes him to dramatize and misread the situation, leaving him to deal with major consequences. Sammy's immaturity causes him to make the bad decision, an impulse that produces no effect whatsoever on his “damsels in