In their short stories “A&P” and “Eveline,” John Updike and James Joyce offer their perspectives on the lives of young women and the choices that they make. At first glance, the female characters in the two stories have little in common. However, considering them closer will show that, similarly to Eveline, who has to experience a significant change as she journeys from one complicated choice to another, Sammy also undergoes a notable transformation, realizing that the world is more hostile than she thought.
At first glance, the similarities between the female characters in “A&P” and “Eveline” are minimal. However, in both scenarios, the character arcs are surprisingly similar. Namely, both stories start with their female protagonists being naïve and innocent and have them mature after encountering other people. Namely, Eveline is depicted as a woman motivated by her infatuation with a sailor whom she met and with whom she dreams to escape to a new and fascinating world: “She had consented to go away, to leave her home. Was that wise?” (Joyce par. 5). The specified attitude signals immaturity and naiveté. Similarly, Queenie and her friends are portrayed as characters with very cheerful and seemingly shallow personalities: “She was the queen. She kind of led them” (Updike par. 2). Thus, both characters share a common characteristic of being inexperienced, determined, and naïve.
Thus, these characters have an essential common trait, which is linked directly to their character arcs. Namely, all of them mature throughout the story, learning bitter yet essential truths that will encourage them to be wiser and avoid mistakes made under the sour of the moment. Namely, Evelien starts her journey as a naïve young woman whose love for her boyfriend makes her reconsider even the promise that she made to her dying mother. Specifically, she states the following: “Strange that it should come that very night to remind her of the promise to her mother, her promise to keep the home together as long as she could” (Joyce par. 14). However, as Eveline further considers the implications of her actions, she recognizes the fleeting nature of her passion and the necessity to accept her responsibility for her family.
The specified decision is bitter yet indicative of significant character growth. In turn, the characters in “A&P” experience the revelation of a similar magnitude as they realize the nature of the threat that they experienced: “The girls, and who’d blame them, are in a hurry to get out” (Updike par. 22). Arguably, the girls’ redemption and their realization of the complexity of the outside world is depicted quite subtly in Updike’s story, which represents a stark contrast to the changes that Joyce’s character undergoes. However, the exposure to the trappings of reality is evident in both scenarios, therefore implying that both Queenie and her friends and Evelin have matured throughout the narrative.
Despite having little in common in terms of their personalities, the characters in “A&P” and “Eveline” have similar arcs, each recognizing the complexity of the world outside of their community and the need to remain realistic. Though Queenie and her friends’ experience is linked to the need to recognize an immediate threat, whereas Eveline faced the necessity to reconcile with her sense of responsibility, each of the characters experiences notable growth and embraces the weight of the consequences that their actions have. Therefore, the characters under analysis undergo significant growth, accepting a more nuanced and realistic understanding of the world.
Works Cited
Updike, John. “A&P.” Tiger-Town.com, n.d., Web.
Joyce, James. Eveline. Online-Literature.com, n.d., Web.