Sammy's Action example essay topic

"A & P" by John Updike is the story of a man who opposes societal norms by embracing his true sexual orientation; While this is not the commonly agreed upon theory, careful analysis leaves no doubt as to its veracity. The unfolding of the true argument is managed via the use of constant clues distributed throughout each of the five aspects of formal plot structure. Beginning with positioning the protagonist (Sammy) in the third slot of the check out line and then labeling slots three through seven as being "unmanned", John Updike, makes it clear that Sammy sees himself as different (not a man). A flat character that was glad to "trip him up" because she had probably never seen a mistake before -- the mistake being Sammy's sexual orientation -- reveals the similar views of society.

These suspicions stirring early in the exposition give us a hint as to where the author is going with this story. The developing of the issue is centered on the young girls' trip through the store. Sammy's ability to identify with the "Queen's" sense of prideful femininity is demonstrated by his careful observation and awareness of her womanly tactics. The deliberate way in which she places her feet with a little "extra action", the constant moving of her eyes that signaled her awareness of attention, and that she was obviously showing the other girls how "it" was done are things that men, in general, do not typically notice. Queenie is womanhood personified and Mr. Lengel's attempt to denigrate that institution is what forces Sammy into public conflict with a purveyor of masculine policies. By twisting the neck of the bag that contains the "Kingfish" herring then handing it over to the Queen, the embodiment of womanhood, Sammy is saying "Here... take my masculinity I do not want it any more".

This gesture required a great deal of thought and is indicated by the author as being. ".. more complicated than you think". Consider the source of the statement "It was they who were embarrassing us". Mr. Lengel is referring to women flaunting the "policies" of male society. At this point he also is trying to stave off the inevitable loss of Sammy as an ally.

With two simple words ("I quit") Sammy indicates a casting off of all things male. This gesture, seen as sad by his family, is to him something that once started must be followed through to its inevitable conclusion. He acknowledges the monumental decision by admitting that it is not something for which he expects understanding, only something he must do. This climax of the long-standing conflict inside him takes but a moment to wind to its end. Returning the bow tie that is a direct link to the conventions of gender is yet another clue given by John Updike to illuminate the idea behind this story. Here, a young man relinquishes the ties binding him to his male role in society.

Not only does the author use the bow tie and the untying of the apron to demonstrate this but he also uses Sammy's retention of his crisp clean shirt ironed by a woman. A choice has been made. Walking out the door prepared to enlist in the company of the Queen to whom he relates -- he finds himself at a loss. Confronted with yet another facet of womanhood for which he has no respect he realizes that he is a victim of his sex.

Men have created him somewhere between the domain of masculinity and the everyday province of women. He is left to resolve the situation on his own. The most obvious clue used by the author to cue the reader into the focal point also functions as the resolution and denouement. "He feels how hard the world is going to be to him hereafter".

Floating between the sexes, not being a man but never wholly a woman, will be a difficult status in life. The position is made more complex because it is not the everyday woman that he is enamored of, but the glorified queenly vision of what women could be without the oppression of a male society. It is an unattainable goal for women and women impressionist alike that signifies what he wants to become. In conclusion, once the aspects of structure have been separated, the barrage of clues used by John Updike leave no question as to the real idea behind this story. The exposition tells us in black and white that Sammy is not a man. In developing the major conflict Sammy's partiality for women becomes an irrefutable influence.

The climatic point, the purpose of the whole story, is Sammy quitting his job and at the same time "quitting" the pretense of normalcy he has been portraying for so long. The falling action is described -- literally -- as Sammy's action of casting off his "ties" to the masculine world. As for resolution, Sammy's last thought in this story definitely puts forward his steadfast and resolute attitude concerning the path he has chosen for himself. "A & P" by John Updike is definitely written to give readers insight to the difficult decision that sexual orientation can sometimes be.