the somebody and a&p

             "Be daring, be different, impractical, be anything that will assert integrity of purpose and imaginative vision against the play-it-safers, the creatures of the commonplace, the slaves of the ordinary." A quote by Sir Cecil Beaton, a famous writer in the mid 1900's, comments on how decisions. These risks are part of growing up and taking a step into adulthood. Both Chato, from the story of "A&P," by Danny Santiago, and Sammy, of "The Somebody," by John Updike, are similar in character that they are both at a crossroad in life that will ultimately force them to make a defining risk.
             They both grew up in similar backgrounds where they were both dissatisfied with their lives. There is evidence that show they were both unhappy with their daily routine. Starting off with Chato being neglected at home wanted to disappear from his family. His father did not even show any type of concern or show any discipline after learning of his son's own choice of quitting school. Chato mentions that he is bored at the Boys Club when asked by Mr. Calderon. After all, the title of this story is called "The Somebody," which is about Chato wanting to be somebody other than what he is now. Sammy comes from a middle-class family and is pressured by his family to work at a grocery store. Lengel even warns Sammy: "Sammy, you don't want to do this to your Mom and Dad." Sammy does not seem to like his job very much. He calls one of his customers a "witch" and says the other customers are "houseslaves" and sheep." Sammy has nothing else better to do but be observant of the things that go on around him. He is also bored with lifeless customers who come in and out of the store daily as if watching a machine operated factory at work. Sammy even mentions that nobody would notice if dynamite were set off in the store.
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