Human Preferences, a Significant Theme in John Updike’s A&P Narrative

This article discusses the theme of human preferences in John Updike’s A&P narrative and its consequences on the characters. It also highlights the societal norms and conventions imposed on individuals.

Running head: ENGLISH ASSIGNMENT
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Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author note:

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Ayodele Adegola
Prof Carol Harris
English 1102-378
02/11/2018
HUMAN PREFERENCES, A SIGNIFICANT THEME IN JOHN UPDIKE’S A&P
NARRATIVE
Choices or preferences can be regarded as one of the most common collective
experiences in the lives of humans. A life of an individual primarily comprises of choice making
and is implicitly dependent on the choices, which are available in order to make any decisions.
Preferences or choices generally consist of available prospects, which can either be real or can be
regarded as imaginary. However, it is important to note that, an individual is responsible for his
or her decision-making and its relative outcomes.
The connotation of preferences and choices and its significant consequences are very
much evident in the story. It is immensely important for an individual to consider of the
consequence of actions because certain consequences can have adverse impacts. John Updike
effectively centers his story on the way the characters have made their choices and further deal
with the outcomes (Roberts, Edgar and Zweig). Sammy, one of the characters of the story has
been employed as a cashier, has made some of the most excruciating choices and consequently
dealt with its relative outcomes.
Sammy chose to progress in his life with the pretense that occurred during an upsetting
encounter he had experienced with three young girls and his boss. He eventually decided to quit

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his job. However, soon it became evident to Sammy, that his decision of leaving his job will
have a subsequent implication, which he has to deal with for long. Sammy, being a person who
believes in ideologies and principles was thoroughly aware of the relative outcome of his action.
Thus, he has regarded this scenario as a distressing and struggling one.
Another vital aspect of the story highlighted the situation where the manager of Sammy
intended to remind him of the condemnation of his parents regarding the decision of abandoning
the job. His manager further reminded Sammy about the detrimental and unfavorable
circumstances his family will experience, as he has been the sole breadwinner of his family
(Roberts, Edgar and Zweig). The following statement successfully reflects the way Lengel
intended to remind Sammy the causes his unemployment will bring to his parents. He further
said, “Sammy, you don’t have to do this to your mom and dad.”
In the following episode of the story, it can be noted that the young girls made choices of
visiting the grocery store devoid of the set of rules and conventions that society has imposed on
an individual’s physical appearance. It must be comprehended with the notion several members
of the society carry which has eventually become a unvarying obsession with one exterior looks.
However, society has imposed greater significance on exterior appearance for women’s value
that is established by the notion that their bodies have been comprehensively ‘modified ‘by the
gaze of men. Certain members of the society expect young girls to be guided by the set of rules
and principles that the society has established (Gale and Cengage). It is expected by many that
women who wear swimsuits or short dresses must face considerate outcomes and struggles.
However, such notions must be removed from the society with immediate action as these carry
immense rate of anguish within themselves.

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Sammy’s manager who is further the manager of the store has believes all these notions
that results in creating oppression towards women. This however, leads the store executive to
chastise and rebuke the teenage girls for causing violation to the community laws. The chief
among the young girls that has been described as Queenie by Sammy has intended to give
explanation to the ways in which they should dress themselves (Roberts, Edgar and Zweig).
However, at the same time Langel in order to suppress the situation he said it does not have any
significance by continuously reiterate his words in anger and further rebuking the young girls.
He further went ahead and notified the girls to dress up in a decent manner during their next visit
to his store.
The view and mindset of Lengel can be comprehended from his choice of words and the
attitude he had shown towards the young girls. However, the consequences and relevance of his
notions and behavior has not been explicitly highlighted in the story.Sammy, who during those
unpleasant circumstances acted like a hero however has quit his job in protest against his
manager. Although Lengel showed a characteristic of maturity and composure, he instead of
reprimanding Sammy reminded him of the relative outcomes of his actions of raising his voice
against his superior. However, Lengels’s advocacy for social conventions can be considered as
vital for which Sammy can be taken into account for the rest of his life.

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Reference
Gale, Cengage Learning. A Study Guide for John Updike's" Oliver's Evolution". Gale, Cengage
Learning, 2016.
Roberts, Edgar V., and Robert Zweig. Literature: an introduction to reading and writing.
Pearson, 2015.