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 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 be able to live in such an environment but …show more content…
Both, Sammy and Sylvia are engulfed into their prideful personalities, however, it is Sammy who experiences a terrible fall. Sammy’s condescending behavior results in him losing his job, which not only damages him but also his family. However, Sammy is able to see his loss, while Sylvia carrying the most of her vanity does not seem to notice any of her failures in life. However, it is known that pride, when utilized in an ill-manner will result in destruction. It is often said, too much of anything is not good and that is exactly what Sammy and Sylvia both portray in their lives. As rightly mentioned by T.S Eliot, “Most of the trouble in the world is caused by people wanting to be
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 be able to live in such an environment but …show more content…
Both, Sammy and Sylvia are engulfed into their prideful personalities, however, it is Sammy who experiences a terrible fall. Sammy’s condescending behavior results in him losing his job, which not only damages him but also his family. However, Sammy is able to see his loss, while Sylvia carrying the most of her vanity does not seem to notice any of her failures in life. However, it is known that pride, when utilized in an ill-manner will result in destruction. It is often said, too much of anything is not good and that is exactly what Sammy and Sylvia both portray in their lives. As rightly mentioned by T.S Eliot, “Most of the trouble in the world is caused by people wanting to be