How Does Updike Use Internal Conflict In A & P

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Big expectations = Big disappointments
Updike’s short story, A&P is primarily based on how every decision we make has an outcome and we can see that with how Sammy finds himself in a situation where he has the choice to create short-lived reputation in front of the girls, but lose his job as a result of it. When he chooses the latter, he must face the outcome that will come for choosing to be a hero. The use of internal and external conflict is seen through its characters, to help the reader understand how going against society can be challenging.
Internal conflict is used in the beginning of the story. While working Sammy, notices the girls entering the supermarket and is intrigued by their outfits. Updike states, “I stood there with my hand on a box of HiHo crackers trying to remember if I rang it up or not” (117). This illustrates internal conflict because here one can see how Sammy is not aware of his own actions because his attention is on the girls. Another example of internal conflict is when Sammy realizes he has made a mistake by quitting. In particular, Updike writes, “His face was dark gray and his back stiff, as if he’d just had an injection of iron, and my stomach kind of fell as I felt how hard the world was going to be hereafter” (122). This shows internal conflict because we can see how …show more content…
Again, internal is shown throughout the main character, Sammy as he is kind of in a daze as he admires the girls and forgets about his position, while external conflict involves all the characters, Lengel arguing with the girls and Sammy opposing Lengel decision and checking off their items, and quitting his job because he wants to be a hero and at the same time he is rebelling against Lengel and society ideals. Moreover the author delivers the message by showing how there’s a consequence for everything, but you should stand up for what you believe in even if it ends up not being too convenient for
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