Comparing john updikes A+p, the story of an hour by kate chopin, and the girls in their summer dresses by irwin shaw. this paper tells the plot and how it relates to the point of view.

Point of View

The stories we have read deal with 18th and 19th century American life. The desire of spirit and emotion will full people's lives through these stories. People during this time have gained the knowledge of being independent individuals through books in this conservative era. The short stories A+P by John Updike, The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin, and The Girls in Their Summer Dresses by Irwin Shaw are all stories that involve the main character breaking through and speaking up for their individualism. The stories reflect the view on what is going on in America. This point of view is important in conveying an authors meaning to each story. The main points of these stories are being independent, making decisions and the feeling of freedom.

A+P by John Updike is a story about a young man, about 19, named Sammy, who is a cashier at a supermarket.

Kate Chopin in 1894

English: John Updike giving the 2008 Jefferson Lec...

A caricature of John Updike from The New York Revi...

The setting of the story takes place in the 1950's in a small town. During this time period men wore suits and women wore dresses, a very conservative look. One day three scandalous girls walk into the store wearing their bathing suit. Shocked of their exposure, Sammy boss, Lengel, confronts the girls in a most embarrassing way because of their lack of shame. Lengels condemning words toward the girls irritates Sammy, which allow his individuality to break through. During this conformist time people didn't speak out, but Sammy stood up for what he believed, like a teenager would do in our generation. The point of view in this story is first-person limited because its about the growing thoughts and opinions of a young man during a conventional time. Updike chooses a normal, straightforward teenage boy in his ordinary job, of a routine day because it appeals to...