Excess in anything is a defect. Pride is a feeling that every individual possesses. However, it is entirely based on what side of the spectrum the individual hauls that feeling to. Sammy from John Updike’s “A&P” and Sylvia from Toni Cade Bambara’s “The Lesson”, portray a great sense of gratification in their personalities and end up on the negative side of the spectrum, where they are bound to face difficulties in their respective lives. However, Destiny’s observation based on the quotation: “Pride (arrogance) comes before Destruction...and a haughty spirit, before a fall”, is partly correct as the quotation applies to Sammy on a larger scale, but applies to Sylvia on a smaller note. Moreover, Destiny’s observation is partially true, as Sammy’s
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Sammy quits his job in order to impress a group of females and aspires to become “...their unsuspected hero” (Updike 4). However, the ladies “...flicker right across the lot to their car” (Updike 4); leaving Sammy in a blundering situation. In order to maintain his dignity, Sammy sticks to the decision of quitting his job, as he feels that once someone “...begins a gesture it’s fatal not to go through it” (Updike 5). In addition, Sammy’s pride blinds him to such an extent that he considers quitting his job in the summer time an opportunity to “...follow up with a clean exit” (Updike 5). However, Sammy’s ego appears to deteriorate as he realizes he has no money to earn anymore and will be unable to provide support to his parents. This statement finds reference in Lengel’s quotation, “‘Sammy, you don’t want to do this to your Mom and Dad’” (Updike 5). On the other hand, Sylvia, has a personality that is dominating and “...surly” (Bambara 1). Nonetheless, Sylvia appears to be receiving education under Miss Moore, who seems to have taken the responsibility of the “...young one’s education” (Bambara 1). Sylvia disrespects Miss Moore on numerous occasions as she calls her “...black as hell” (Bambara 1); …show more content…
Sammy comes across Queenie at A&P, who he finds to be “...more than pretty” (Updike 1). Moreover, Sammy not only finds himself to be in awe of Queenie’s appearance but also appears to be “...startled….” (Updike 3) by her voice. Queenie’s genteel speech leads Sammy to ruminate her way of living, where he sees Queenie’s family in plush outfits, “...holding drinks the color of water with olives and sprigs of mint in them” (Updike 3). These speculations motivate Sammy to be in harmony with Queenie. Therefore, Sammy tries to impress Queenie and her mates by quitting his job and standing up for them against Lengel, who is giving the ladies a “...sad Sunday school superintendent stare” (Updike 3). However, Queenie and her mates pay no attention to Sammy’s courageous act and “...they keep right on going” (Updike 4). This leaves Sammy unemployed and destroys his imagination of living a splendorful life. On the other hand, Sylvia shows no signs of envy towards any person around her. This statement finds reference in the quotation, “Then we check out that we on Fifth Avenue and everybody dressed up in stockings. One lady in a fur coat, hot as it is. White folks crazy” (Bambara 2). Sylvia did not wish to live in such an environment, but rather
Sammy quits his job in order to impress a group of females and aspires to become “...their unsuspected hero” (Updike 4). However, the ladies “...flicker right across the lot to their car” (Updike 4); leaving Sammy in a blundering situation. In order to maintain his dignity, Sammy sticks to the decision of quitting his job, as he feels that once someone “...begins a gesture it’s fatal not to go through it” (Updike 5). In addition, Sammy’s pride blinds him to such an extent that he considers quitting his job in the summer time an opportunity to “...follow up with a clean exit” (Updike 5). However, Sammy’s ego appears to deteriorate as he realizes he has no money to earn anymore and will be unable to provide support to his parents. This statement finds reference in Lengel’s quotation, “‘Sammy, you don’t want to do this to your Mom and Dad’” (Updike 5). On the other hand, Sylvia, has a personality that is dominating and “...surly” (Bambara 1). Nonetheless, Sylvia appears to be receiving education under Miss Moore, who seems to have taken the responsibility of the “...young one’s education” (Bambara 1). Sylvia disrespects Miss Moore on numerous occasions as she calls her “...black as hell” (Bambara 1); …show more content…
Sammy comes across Queenie at A&P, who he finds to be “...more than pretty” (Updike 1). Moreover, Sammy not only finds himself to be in awe of Queenie’s appearance but also appears to be “...startled….” (Updike 3) by her voice. Queenie’s genteel speech leads Sammy to ruminate her way of living, where he sees Queenie’s family in plush outfits, “...holding drinks the color of water with olives and sprigs of mint in them” (Updike 3). These speculations motivate Sammy to be in harmony with Queenie. Therefore, Sammy tries to impress Queenie and her mates by quitting his job and standing up for them against Lengel, who is giving the ladies a “...sad Sunday school superintendent stare” (Updike 3). However, Queenie and her mates pay no attention to Sammy’s courageous act and “...they keep right on going” (Updike 4). This leaves Sammy unemployed and destroys his imagination of living a splendorful life. On the other hand, Sylvia shows no signs of envy towards any person around her. This statement finds reference in the quotation, “Then we check out that we on Fifth Avenue and everybody dressed up in stockings. One lady in a fur coat, hot as it is. White folks crazy” (Bambara 2). Sylvia did not wish to live in such an environment, but rather