John Updike A & P Diction

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In “A&P” by John Updike, the 32nd paragraph is a description of Sammy’s last thoughts after quitting his job at the grocery store. The paragraph conveys information about the character through the illustration of Sammy’s personality and his ability to make decisions. This helps the readers fully understand the reason why Sammy quits his job and how regretful he feels when looking back. A lot would change if this last paragraph was omitted from the story. For example, the readers would not know if Sammy was actually regretful or what his last feelings were after he quit his job and the story would not have a shift in tone, which without would leave the reader with an intense curiosity as to what happened next. If the story ends with paragraph 31, which ends, “…and outside the sunshine is skating around on the asphalt” (Updike 96), the word sunshine leaves the audience with hopes that everything is going to be alright. However, paragraph 32, the one being analyzed, has a completely different tone. This little yet noticeable shift in tone plays a very important role in the way the story ends. Without paragraph 32, the readers cannot see how the story’s tone goes from happy sunshine to harsh regret. It ends with Sammy saying, “…my stomach kind of fell as I felt …show more content…

According to the text, “I look around for my girls, but they’re gone, of course” (Updike 96). This sentence makes the reader feel like Sammy knew he was never going to get the girls, yet he decides to quit since he realized that he was never going to achieve a better life if he stayed at A&P. Even though he still calls them his girls, he knows that “once you begin a gesture it’s fatal not to go through with it” (Updike 96). He feels obligated to go through with this “act of heroism”, but deep inside, quitting, is what he has been wanting to do for a long

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