Respond to the following essay prompt. In her essay "Writing Short Stories" Flannery O'Connor says this about characterization: "You can't cut characters off from their society and say much about them as individuals." "You can't say anything meaningful about the mystery of personality unless you put that personality in a believable and significant social context." Consider the quotations above. Then pick a story from Semester A and evaluate how the social context and the characters work together not only to provide a vivid setting, but also to help explain and develop the characters' thoughts, words, and actions.
short answer
One story from Semester A that effectively demonstrates how social context and characters work together to provide a vivid setting and develop the characters' thoughts, words, and actions is "A&P" by John Updike.
In "A&P," Updike explores the societal norms and expectations of a small town during the 1960s, specifically through the perspective of the protagonist, Sammy. Sammy works at a local supermarket, and his encounters with three young women who come into the store in their bathing suits provide the main conflict of the story.
The social context in "A&P" is crucial in understanding Sammy's thoughts, words, and actions. The story takes place during a time when conservative values were still prevalent, and modesty in dress and behavior was highly valued. Sammy, being an observant and somewhat rebellious teenager, is immediately intrigued by the three girls who defy these norms by shopping in their bathing suits.
Their presence in the store challenges Sammy's perceptions of societal expectations and conventional behavior. He finds their nonconformity refreshing and daring, and it greatly influences his thoughts and actions throughout the story. He even quits his job in a symbolic act of defiance against the restrictive society he feels trapped in.
Furthermore, the social context also helps develop the characters of the three young women. Updike utilizes their actions and dialogue to highlight their indifference towards societal judgments. They confidently enter the store, seemingly unfazed by the disapproving looks they receive from the other customers and the store manager.
By showcasing the interaction between Sammy and the three young women against the backdrop of a conservative small town, Updike effectively illustrates the tension between individuality and societal conformity. The story's social context not only establishes a vivid setting but also serves to explain and develop the characters' thoughts, words, and actions.
In conclusion, "A&P" by John Updike exemplifies Flannery O'Connor's assertion that a character's personality cannot be understood without considering their social context. The story effectively uses the societal norms and expectations of a small town during the 1960s to shape the thoughts, words, and actions of the protagonist, Sammy, as well as the three young women he encounters. This interaction between the characters and their social context provides a vivid setting and emphasizes the theme of individuality versus societal conformity.