"A&P" has a more effective way of conveying the theme of coming of age than "Araby." John Updike can show the painfully normal life the main character (Sammy) lives and the rash decisions that are reminiscent of a child's, which explains how and why Sammy quit his job. Even in Sammy's most decisive moment, it's clear he's unsatisfied with the results and wishes he could take it back. In "Araby," James Joyce's character's obsession with a female is the main focus of most of the story. While the love in "Araby" is more in depth than "A&P," the actual emotions the character displays are less synonymous with "coming of age." At any point in someone's life, one may feel an obsession or longing for something, and while this will display "coming of age" qualities, it certainly doesn't focus solely on this theme alone.
             "A&P" is the story of a 19 year old boy, Sammy, who works at the local A&P supermarket. The focus of the story is "three girls in nothing but bathing suits" who walk into the store and catch Sammy's attention (Charters 1343). Sammy's eyes follow them about the store wondering whether he'll be able to ring them up at the cash register in order to get a better look. Sammy describes their entire journey throughout the store, and eventually is able to ring the girls up. As he does, his manager admonishes the girls for wearing nothing more than bathing suits. Sammy then makes a quick decision to quit, hoping the girls will hear him. The girls walk out of the store without hearing Sammy, but not wanting to back down, he quits anyway.
             "Araby" is the story of a turn of the century Irish boy who falls in love with his best friend's sister. The love starts out with nothing more than a few glances towards her, and without any verbal contact. It "grows" into an obsession, with the young boy tailing the girl every morning, only to pass her without a word when they part ways to go to school.
             Their love fully appreciates when the...