In "A & P," by John Updike, the main character's attitude transforms from his willingness to comply with an unsatisfactory life to his self decision to abruptly disassociate himself from his situation and to allow more self pleasure in his daily activities. Sammy's life is repetitious and incredibly boring, lacking the freedom and self guidance that others his age enjoy. Observing the leisurely lives of the girls in the store helps him to realize the dullness of his life and how he is on course to live less thrilling life like most others in town. This encounter is an epiphany in Sammy's life and accordingly inspires him to defy his employer and live a less controlled life and distinguish himself apart from others who live routine and dull lifestyles. .
The life of Sammy is irritatingly repetitious and slavish, lacking the freedom that he desires. The stories" setting is seemingly a hot summer day, one that most people prefer to reserve for personal enjoyment. Nevertheless, Sammy is once again working, as he often does, doing the exact same actions in the same manner in the same environment that he always does. The old ladies diligently go over their shopping lists and economize to save extra cents by sacrificing time and energy. This repetitious lifestyle of daily activities the have no pleasure in the first place is in contrast to the stereotyped personality of a kid not far out of high school and entering the working world. He is yet an energetic and ambitious person who is at the stage of his life where people are typically expected to live life for personal satisfaction and happiness, keeping in mind that he has the rest of his life to look forward to working. The story notes that he rings peoples groceries up in the exact same manner every single time saying "Hello (bing) there, you (gung) happ-py pee-pup (splat)," thus indicating an extreme displeasure with his job and the repetition of it.
