A&P Written by John Updike - Essay Example

To comply with the aim of the current character analysis, the two characters that would be compared and comprehensively evaluated are Sammy and Queenie.
Sammie and Queenie share common characteristics and traits in terms of sharing practically the same age range. Sammie was identified specifically to be 19 years old; therefore, still a teenager but on the verge of being an adult. They were initially described as wearing just their bathing suits and were not even cladding any footwear. It was evident that they share the same age ranges since Sammie’s description included physical features that enhance feminine curves and emphasize their sexualities.

This is consistent with Worsley’s (2011) findings that “the observed relationship between females' perceived weight status and their self-concepts suggest that body image may be of greater importance for girls than for boys of this age” (Worsley 231). Likewise, both manifested a rebellious attitude by defying traditional values. Sammie immediately quit his job with the hope that the teen-aged girls would hear his open assertion of siding on their behavior, despite the manager’s antagonistic remarks. Queenie also exuded a rebellious attitude by exhibiting wanton disregard for displaying their body only clad in bathing suits in a shopping center.

Her head held high, as described by Sammie, was an indication of neither lack of embarrassment nor awkwardness of having to display their bodies among the staring shoppers. They were both bold in their actions and manifested behavior, ready to test new waters and defy tradition. Sammie’s quitting his job for the sake of showing off for the sake of the teen-aged girls was done without regard for his parent's feelings. Likewise, Queenie’s open display of their physical traits through wearing only bathing suits in a shopping center could be a product of outright spur-of-the-moment decisions that would earn the ire of her parents, should they have known about this.

Finally, when confronted with a challenging situation, Queenie, who was admonished by the manager for wearing bathing suits in A & P, tried to rationalize that she was being requested by her mother to pick up an important item. As such, having said her piece, she left instantaneously and was even indifferent to the supposed bravery of Sammie for having defended their stance. Sammie was mirroring their behavior of deciding at the spur of the moment, by quitting his job, in response to the situation. His lack of extensive maturity and rationality left him alone in the end, with the teen-aged girls nowhere to be found – his defensive stance on their behalf, was being disregarded.

On the contrary, these two characters exhibit disparities in terms of exuding an air of unrestrictedness and freedom. While Queenie was enjoying the ability to do whatever she wants by wearing a bathing suit, with friends, in a shopping mall; Sammie has to contend with working at A & P which could have been perceived as confining and restrictive. Queenie allegedly exemplifies possessing more independence; while Sammie, despite having a job, could be interpreted as doing so for the sake of his parents’ wants – thereby indicative of being dependent on their preferences. The rationales for their behaviors were premised on the concept that “adolescents aren't reckless because they underestimate risks, but because they overestimate rewards—or, rather, find rewards more rewarding than adults do. The reward centers of the adolescent brain are much more active than those of either children or adults” (Gopnik par. 9). For Queenie and the other teenage girls’ situation, the perceived reward includes the admiring glances of the male shoppers which would be thought of as greater than the awkwardness or feeling of embarrassment. For Sammie, the thought that his action would earn the admiration of the three teenagers led him to quit his job, more than the thought that life would be challenging afterward.

Overall, the characteristics and traits of both characters, Sammie and Queenie are consistent with the traits identified in Sean Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens that to achieve private victory, teenagers must develop the habits of being proactive, beginning with the end in mind, and putting first things first, among others. The characters have effectively achieved what they initially aimed for. As such, despite the ambiguity of the repercussions of their present actions, in their minds, at least they have made the first bold steps to independence and freedom. Read More