Character Of Sammy

It’s summer time in the 1960s in this small town located near Boston. The beach is near, the days are hot, and life is boring for a nineteen year old grocery clerk named Sammy. Sammy is a lost and lonely young man, who spent the majority of his work day scrutinizing each and every customer that walked through the door. At the very moment he would see them, he would sigh and psychologically pick them apart. Until one day, in walked three young girls wearing bikinis and his bitterness was temporarily put aside. Although immature and ignorant, this young man shows a softer side- sympathy. Throughout this short story, the reader is able to see the various attitudes and emotions of Sammy, who is sick of everyday regular-life, and is desperate for change. Sammy is an immature young man, who hates his job and thinks he knows how to treat customers. His
Now, unlike Updike and the other customers, Sammy is not quick to judge the girls. When Lengel scolds the girls for their inappropriate attire, Sammy is immediately displeased and he feels he needs to defend them. He does so by suddenly quitting his job- a desperate attempt to impress the girls. Another display of Sammys sympathetic side is shown when another co-worker, McMahon, is approached by the three girls. The girls ask him a question, he points, they walk away and Sammy remarks, “all that was left for us to see was old McMahon patting his mouth and looking after them sizing up their joints. Poor kids, I began to feel sorry for them, they couldn’t help it.” Lastly, the point where Sammy leaves the store after quitting, is where we see resentment. Sammy stands in the parking lot gazing inside through the window. His stomach drops and he remarks “I felt how hard the world was going to be to me hereafter.” It was at that point the had realized what he had done, feeling sorry for Lengel, and