Paradox is often defined as one exhibiting contradictory or inexplicable aspects or qualities. In John Updike's "A&P", the character of Sammy personifies this definition perfectly. Many have read this seemingly simple short story and reactions over the decade have been quite varied. Reactions to Sammy have run the gamut from romantic hero to lustful, vain youth. His ultimate decision to quit his job has been labeled as everything from heroic and Emersonian, to foolish and pointless. But perhaps the most prevailing opinion is that his tone and verbiage present him as a sexist young man destined to become as distasteful as the people he seems to hate too much. On the contrary, there are always mitigating circumstances. Often one's treatment of the opposite sex is based on age, era, and personal experiences. To simply take Sammy out of the context of the story, and label him a sexist is both unfair and shortsighted. Sammy is neither sexist nor a romantic hero. He is not valiant or foolish. Sammy is, in fact, a boy, still young enough to be idealistic, but old enough to know that dreams are often deferred. It is this that frightens him. His youth and fear create a world in which Sammy lives in limbo, until three young girls prance through the A & P and liberate him. Sammy has complexities that far belie his youth and inexperience. The layers of his character, personality, and aspirations slowly peel away and by the end of the short story, you are left with a clearer image of who he really is and what his motivations are.
             For first half of "A&P", the character of Sammy remains consistent, almost redundant. He has no respect for any of the townspeople because he perceives them to be boring and staid, and tied to the old ways of doing things. To him, they are unable to break free from conformity and express themselves with individuality and creativity. This is partly the reason that Sammy...