Comparing Three Short Stories 'Greasy Lake And A & P'
Hendricks 1
ENG 102
20 March 2013
Essay#2
Symbolism of three short stories Coming of age signifies a growth in a person 's identity. It is the time when adolescents experience a pivotal moment that will shape their character and lead to a realization of who they really are. The three stories that illustrate both concepts are Greasy Lake by T. Coraghessan, Where Are You Going Where Have You Been by Joyce Carol Oates and A & P by John Updike. A & P is about a coming of age for Sammy. Though it takes place over the period of a few hours, it represents a much larger process of maturation. Greasy lake is about three young men on the road to maturity, …show more content…
The Chevy owner is a tough muscular character. The biker, whom is regarded as a bad older character, is said to be dangerous. The vehicles are a representation of the individuals who drive them. Another symbol of danger the young men face is Greasy Lake itself. The lake is described as being "fetid and murky, the mud banks glittering with broken glass and strewn with beer cans" (Boyle 189). It is a sign that nothing good lies within. Several times throughout the story, Boyle refers to not only the main characters as being greasy, but also describes a variety of other people in the same way. This ties the lake and the greasy characters together. It is ironic that not only is the lake named Greasy Lake, but the individuals who hang out there are also referred to as being greasy characters as well. This led to violent subsequent events later on in the story, as the narrator gets chased and beaten up, and during these events, the narrator realizes he was indeed a bad kid, but learns through the tough way that there are even worse people in this
ENG 102
20 March 2013
Essay#2
Symbolism of three short stories Coming of age signifies a growth in a person 's identity. It is the time when adolescents experience a pivotal moment that will shape their character and lead to a realization of who they really are. The three stories that illustrate both concepts are Greasy Lake by T. Coraghessan, Where Are You Going Where Have You Been by Joyce Carol Oates and A & P by John Updike. A & P is about a coming of age for Sammy. Though it takes place over the period of a few hours, it represents a much larger process of maturation. Greasy lake is about three young men on the road to maturity, …show more content…
The Chevy owner is a tough muscular character. The biker, whom is regarded as a bad older character, is said to be dangerous. The vehicles are a representation of the individuals who drive them. Another symbol of danger the young men face is Greasy Lake itself. The lake is described as being "fetid and murky, the mud banks glittering with broken glass and strewn with beer cans" (Boyle 189). It is a sign that nothing good lies within. Several times throughout the story, Boyle refers to not only the main characters as being greasy, but also describes a variety of other people in the same way. This ties the lake and the greasy characters together. It is ironic that not only is the lake named Greasy Lake, but the individuals who hang out there are also referred to as being greasy characters as well. This led to violent subsequent events later on in the story, as the narrator gets chased and beaten up, and during these events, the narrator realizes he was indeed a bad kid, but learns through the tough way that there are even worse people in this