"A&P" and "Araby"

Comparison Essay # 64503

English > Comparison
Literature > Comparative Literature

"A&P" and "Araby"

The paper is a comparative literary analysis on John Updike's "A&P" and James Joyce's "Araby".

1,250 words () | 0 sources | 2005 United States

Paper Summary:

John Updike's "A&P" and James Joyce's "Araby" reflect many of the same literary traits. This paper explains that the plot, theme and point of view are three of the most resembling aspects of the two stories. It shows, however, that they diverge several times on certain other important literary qualities - setting, characterization and diction. It concludes that although each story conveys the author's purpose, together they leave the reader with an even greater understanding.

From the Paper:

"The main plot of the two stories relates in many ways. On the first glance a reader might believe the stories focus is primarily on a young man, whose life is monotonous, and lives instead in a fantasy romance state through his interest in a girl. Joyce's character "wished to annihilate the tedious intervening days" because they were boring compared to Mangan's sister (Joyce 83). In the end "I look around for my girls, but they're gone, of course" both characters are left alone without the girls (Updike 30). At a closer look the reader realizes the two stories describe a young man who, through an attraction to a girl, learns the difference between youthful idealism in romance and reality. Sammy and the boy in "Araby" take the reader through their myopic thoughts of the girls they desire which eventually leaves them with their painful realizations of how hard life can be."