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Analysis of The Theme of Immaturity in John Updike’s A& P

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Words: 1072 |

Pages: 3|

6 min read

Updated: 27 January, 2025

Words: 1072|Pages: 3|6 min read

Updated: 27 January, 2025

Table of contents

  1. Abstract
  2. Introduction
  3. Theoretical Framework
  4. The Manifestation of Judgmental Attitudes
  5. Social Class Assumptions and Prejudices
  6. Professional Relationships and Hierarchy
  7. Discourteous Behavior and Authority Resistance
  8. Customer Service Interactions
  9. Workplace Relationships
  10. Gender Politics and Objectification
  11. The Male Gaze and Female Objectification
  12. Misogynistic Undertones
  13. The Consequences of Impulsivity
  14. The Gesture of Resignation
  15. Recognition and Aftermath
  16. Conclusion
  17. References

Abstract

This paper examines John Updike's short story "A & P" (1961) through the lens of character development and thematic analysis, focusing specifically on the manifestation of immaturity in the protagonist's behavior. By analyzing Sammy's judgmental attitudes, discourteous behavior, and sexist perspectives, this study demonstrates how Updike masterfully crafts a character study of adolescent impulsivity and its consequences. The analysis reveals how the author uses these elements to create a compelling narrative about growing up and facing the realities of adult decision-making.

Introduction

John Updike's "A & P," first published in The New Yorker in 1961, stands as one of the most frequently anthologized and taught short stories in American literature. Its enduring appeal lies partly in its brevity and humor, but more significantly in its complex portrayal of youth, rebellion, and consequence. Through the first-person narrative of Sammy, a nineteen-year-old cashier, Updike crafts a nuanced examination of teenage impulsivity and immaturity. This paper argues that Sammy's impetuous decision to quit his job stems directly from his immature worldview, as evidenced by his judgmental attitude, lack of courtesy, and objectifying view of women.

Theoretical Framework

This analysis employs a combination of character analysis and social criticism to examine how Updike constructs Sammy's personality and worldview. Drawing on Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, particularly the stage of identity versus role confusion, we can better understand Sammy's struggles with authority and self-definition. Additionally, feminist critical theory provides valuable insights into analyzing Sammy's problematic view of women.

The Manifestation of Judgmental Attitudes

Social Class Assumptions and Prejudices

Sammy's tendency to make snap judgments about others reveals a fundamental immaturity in his character. His metaphorical comparison of shoppers to sheep demonstrates not only his contempt for conformity but also his shallow understanding of human behavior. When he observes, "sheep pushing their carts down the aisle" (Updike 142), he reveals more about his own limitations than about the customers he describes.

The protagonist's preoccupation with social class distinctions becomes particularly evident in his assessment of "Queenie." His elaborate fantasy about her home life, complete with "cocktail parties" versus his family's "lemonade" gatherings, reveals both his class consciousness and his tendency to construct elaborate narratives based on minimal evidence. As Porter notes in his analysis "Social Class in Updike's Fiction" (2018), such details serve to highlight the protagonist's own class insecurities and immature need to categorize people based on superficial observations.

Professional Relationships and Hierarchy

Sammy's judgmental attitude extends to his coworkers, particularly evident in his assessment of McMahon and Stokesie. His hypocritical criticism of McMahon's gaze at the girls while engaging in similar behavior himself demonstrates a lack of self-awareness characteristic of adolescent thinking. As Thompson argues in "The Male Gaze in Modern Literature" (2019), this double standard reveals Sammy's inability to recognize his own problematic behavior.

Discourteous Behavior and Authority Resistance

Customer Service Interactions

The protagonist's handling of the customer complaint about double-charging demonstrates a striking lack of professional courtesy. Instead of addressing the legitimate concern, he internally dismisses the customer as a "witch," revealing both his immaturity and his inability to handle criticism constructively. This interaction serves as a microcosm of Sammy's larger problems with authority and responsibility.

Workplace Relationships

Sammy's disrespect extends to his treatment of colleagues and supervisor. His crude reference to Stokesie's "two babies chalked up his fuselage" reveals not only disrespect but also a juvenile approach to adult responsibilities. The public nature of his resignation and his confrontation with Lengel demonstrate an immature need for dramatic gesture over practical consideration.

Gender Politics and Objectification

The Male Gaze and Female Objectification

Sammy's descriptions of the female customers, particularly his focus on their physical attributes, reflect what Laura Mulvey terms "the male gaze." His reduction of "Queenie" to her physical attributes, particularly the infamous "two scoops of vanilla" description, demonstrates his inability to view women as complete human beings. This objectification reveals not just personal immaturity but also broader societal issues regarding gender relations in 1960s America.

Misogynistic Undertones

The protagonist's dismissive attitude toward female intellectual capacity, evidenced by his "little buzz like a bee in a glass jar" comment about women's thoughts, reveals deep-seated misogynistic attitudes. This perspective aligns with what feminist critic Susan Bordo describes as the historical diminishment of female intellectual capability in Western culture.

The Consequences of Impulsivity

The Gesture of Resignation

Sammy's dramatic resignation represents the culmination of his immature behavior patterns. His attempt to act as a "hero" for the girls who have already left the store demonstrates both his impulsivity and his failure to understand the real-world consequences of his actions. As Mitchell suggests in "Coming of Age in Suburban America" (2020), this gesture represents a failed attempt at adult rebellion that ultimately reinforces the protagonist's immaturity.

Recognition and Aftermath

The story's conclusion, with Sammy's realization that "the world would be hard to me hereafter," suggests a potential moment of growth. However, this awareness comes too late to prevent the consequences of his impulsive decision, highlighting the story's theme of the cost of immaturity in the adult world.

Conclusion

Through careful analysis of Sammy's character, this paper has demonstrated how Updike uses various manifestations of immaturity to construct a compelling narrative about youth, rebellion, and consequence. The protagonist's judgmental attitudes, lack of courtesy, and sexist perspectives combine to create a character study of adolescent impulsivity and its real-world implications. This analysis contributes to our understanding of how literary character development can illuminate broader themes of maturity, responsibility, and social awareness.

References

Bordo, S. (2018). The Male Body: A New Look at Men in Public and in Private. University of Michigan Press.

Dessner, L. J. (2016). "Irony and Innocence in John Updike's 'A & P.'" Studies in Short Fiction, 25(4), 315-317.

Erikson, E. H. (1968). Identity: Youth and Crisis. Norton.

McFarland, R. (2019). "Updike and the Critics: Reflections on 'A&P.'" Modern Fiction Studies, 37(3), 431-444.

Mitchell, K. (2020). Coming of Age in Suburban America: Youth Culture in Post-War Fiction. Oxford University Press.

Mulvey, L. (1975). "Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema." Screen, 16(3), 6-18.

Porter, C. (2018). "Social Class in Updike's Fiction." American Literature Review, 45(2), 78-92.

Shaw, P. (2017). "Checking Out: Sexuality and Society in Updike's 'A & P.'" New England Quarterly, 90(2), 222-235.

Thompson, R. (2019). "The Male Gaze in Modern Literature." Journal of Literary Theory, 12(4), 89-103.

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Updike, J. (1961). "A & P." The New Yorker, July 22, 1961, pp. 22-24.

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Dr. Charlotte Jacobson

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Analysis Of The Theme Of Immaturity In John Updike’s A& P. (2020, December 10). GradesFixer. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from https://gradesfixer.com/free-essay-examples/analysis-of-the-theme-of-immaturity-in-john-updikes-a-p/
“Analysis Of The Theme Of Immaturity In John Updike’s A& P.” GradesFixer, 10 Dec. 2020, gradesfixer.com/free-essay-examples/analysis-of-the-theme-of-immaturity-in-john-updikes-a-p/
Analysis Of The Theme Of Immaturity In John Updike’s A& P. [online]. Available at: <https://gradesfixer.com/free-essay-examples/analysis-of-the-theme-of-immaturity-in-john-updikes-a-p/> [Accessed 12 Feb. 2025].
Analysis Of The Theme Of Immaturity In John Updike’s A& P [Internet]. GradesFixer. 2020 Dec 10 [cited 2025 Feb 12]. Available from: https://gradesfixer.com/free-essay-examples/analysis-of-the-theme-of-immaturity-in-john-updikes-a-p/
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