Moral Responsibility In John Updike's A & P

Sammy made the unjust choice of staring and ogling at the three girls. In addition to that, Sammy also creepily paid attention to even the most minute of details pertaining to the girls. He was also unjust for quitting the job that his parents helped him to get. The story hinted that Sammy did not have much of a future but rather his parents cared about his future more than him. Sammy was morally wrong for continuously staring and strangely interpreting the leader of the group’s upbringings, whom he dubbed Queenie. He also was disturbing for becoming aroused from Queenie taking a five-dollar bill out of the cleavage of her breasts and on top of that commenting on the occurrence. Sammy’s actions were unwise especially him quitting his job in an attempt to impress the three girls. Sammy appeared to be acting impulsively by leaving his job which is why Lengel disapprovingly suggested him to take that back. I believe that Sammy’s parents got him that job because Sammy had no problem leaving his job and did not regret the decision until he saw that the three girls were nowhere in sight. It can be concluded that Sammy has never had a romantic partner due to his gawking at those girls. That was a foolish decision that he ignorantly made that he seemed not to regret until after doing so. Sammy’s motivation for his occupation appears like it is to have something to do in the day because he has not planned his life. This is why he takes quitting his job so lightly despite the actual weight that it carries. His motivation for leaving was to impress the three girls specifically Queenie. He seemed most interested in Queenie and probably wished to pursue a relationship with her. Sammy appeared to try to think about each choice that he took. He also extensively pondered over the reasons the girls dressed so indecently and what he believed their lives to be. Sammy acted this way because I think that he was a more introverted person and genuinely thinks to himself for much of what he decides. Sammy additionally appears to have not done much in his past which is why he is working at a grocery store. The author hints at the Sammy the fact that he likely has never attended a university by Lengel mentioning that Sammy’s parents would not approve of him quitting his occupation. Lengel disapproving statement alludes to the fact that Sammy still lives with them and had trouble finding a job before this. The way that Sammy behaved with Stokesie was a playful and friendly manner. Sammy however deeply felt that despite he was remarkably similar to his coworker they were not alike at the end of the day because Stokesie was married and had genuine ambitions, unlike Sammy. Sammy dealt with his boss in a rather respectful manner for the most part but not at the time when he was deserting his job. Sammy dealt …show more content…
In addition to that, at the beginning of the story, Sammy looked like someone who never stands up for himself. For example, Sammy did not get his job on his own. Rather his parents helped him get the job without Sammy finding a job on his own. However, towards the end, he did what he believed was good and stood up for himself. At the beginning of the story, Sammy was more impulsive. When he quit his job, he was acting upon his impulse, not his intellect. But after when he quit, Sammy sincerely regretted his decision and feared what the future had to offer. The historical period for A&P is most likely the 1980s. Sammy alluded to the current year in the story when he mentioned that Stokesie would probably be the manager in the 1990s. Also if this historical context were an earlier period, then the three young girls who were walking around in bathing suits would be arrested or fined for public indecency. Sammy’s parents were probably old and wished not to accept any new changes such as relationships outside of marriage. His parents likely did not allow him to have a girlfriend before which is why Sammy lusted for the three girls especially