Despite that the Araby and A&P short stories were written in different times, and in different countries, they both have some similarities. One of the main similarities between the two stories is the fact that both main characters are in love with women who don t even know it. The young men in both stories make monetary sacrifices for girls who apparently do not share mutual feelings only to let themselves down. On both stories, the boys went the extra mile to reach the girl they want and both failed. The boy in Araby is secretly in love with his best friend's sister who lives in the neighborhood. The secrecy continues as he attempts to observe her without being seen. " Every morning I lay on the front parlous watching her door. The blind was…show more content… Sammy notices “Queenie” and two other girls walk inside around the store who were dressed only in bathing suits. “the third one he called her Queen or Queenie She was the queen. She kind of led them, the other two peeking around and making their shoulders round. She didn t look around (Updike 320). Sammy immediately is attracted to “Queenie” and wishes to be with her. "She kept her eyes moving across the racks, and stopped, and turned slowly it made my stomach rub the inside of my apron" (Updike 321). The way the three girls were walking around the store angered the Lengel. In the contrary, Sammy was completed taken by every small detail surrounding how they walk especially “Queenie’. “She didn’t walk in her bare feet that much, putting down her heels and then letting the weight move along her toes as she was testing the floor with every step. (Updike 320). The Lengel eventually approaches the girls and comments on their walking. Sammy was upset by this attack on “Queenie” leaving him wanting to defend his love. As a means of doing so, Sammy gave up his job at the A and P store. Sammy felt that by giving up his job, he would be sending “Queenie” a clear message of Legen’s wrongful action and his affection towards her with his heroic act. Hoping they’ll stop and watch me, their unsuspected hero. But they didn t They keep right on going they flicker across the lot to their car. (Updike
