Sammy's Character example essay topic

The Supermarket Standoff As a young narrow-minded teenager working in a small New England town supermarket, Sammy has many dramatic issues in his mind that must be settled. Sammy whom narrates John Updike's short story A&P tells the reader all of the actions from the first person point of view. Sammy is portrayed as a non-typical character; this is irrelevant in the fact that there are many different sides or traits to his character. At the beginning of the story Sammy tells of a group of girls that come into the A&P wearing nothing but bathing suits.

He focuses on one in particular. He describes her as being a chunky kid with a nice tan and a sweet broad soft looking can with two crescents of white where the sun never seems to hit at the tops of the backs of their legs. He goes on to further explain the reasoning's of why these girls have caught is eye more than any of the other customers in the store. He stereotypes the regular customers saying that they are usually old maids or house slaves chained to husbands and children. The basic concept that Sammy is pointing out is that the regular customers are not as attractive as the girls in the bathing suits. Sammy next goes on to describe Mr. Lengel, manager of the A&P. He is described as being as a haggling old man, and a dreary Sunday school teacher that hides behind a door marked Manger.

Sammy explains that the girls also caught the eye of Lengel. As Lengel approached the girls he says: "Girls this isn't the beach". Sammy has now realized that Lengel has embarrassed the girls in front of the whole store and ruined one of the greatest moments in his life. Sammy reacts by becoming very angry by what Lengel has done to the girls and defends them in their honor to portray himself as being a hero. He tells Lengel that his actions were uncalled for. Sammy allows his hasty mind to take over his actions and quickly makes the decision that he is quitting his job.

Sammy allowed for his emotions to take over in turn he must pay the consequences. Sammy rebels against rules and authority. He is at an age in his young teenage life, where his life is changing, and his mind is having a hard time adjusting to the change. While arguing with Lengel about his decision, he admits he is in fact a rebel, and he understands the price he must pay later in his life as he matures. When Sammy quits the A&P, it is somewhat done in an easy fashion. He explains that there were no coats or galoshes to fumble with.

He simply folds his apron up hands it to Lengel and heads for the door. It is then when Sammy begins to pay the price hearing Lengel take over his position, by greeting customers that come to his former station. He realizes that everyone is replaceable. In the real world of work, things keep going and the work continues.

The fact that Sammy quit his job because he disagreed with Lengel is irrelevant. His reasons where shallow in value. He motivates his decision based upon three standards. Money, in which he feels that Queenie's family, is a part of a rich society than that of his own. Next on the list is the regular A&P customer. He is attracted to the pretty girls that enter the store, and is upset with Lengel embarrassing the girls in front of the whole store.

Finally he desires to be somewhat of a hero. In the story he calls himself "the girls unsuspected hero". Sammy quitting the store is perceived as being a large step in his life, however it is very small. He does not take the time to weigh his decision, or think about it, until the damage has already been done. His decision seems that he acted childish and irresponsible, but at the time he feels that it is in the best interest of himself. At the time of his actions, he is not worried about what will happen in the moments to come.

Sammy is only thinking of himself, and he shows that indeed his emotional anger took control of his situation, and resulted not to be in his favor. Sammy finds that he actually loses both ways; by losing his job and not getting the recognition that he believes he deserves. The inconsistent character of Sammy, who on one hand is very irresponsible, but on the other hand he becomes, a responsible person. He takes full responsibility for is actions and his decision to quit the A&P supermarket. John Updike created the character to Sammy as an average everyday teenager, which speaks of problems and situations that people must face from day to day. Sammy's character can teach the reader (s) that making the right decisions is about learning from mistakes, and not about letting emotions and personal conflicts take control of the situations.