A & P By John Updike Psychoanalytic Analysis Essay

“My stomach kind of fell as I felt how hard the world was going to be to me hereafter.” (Updike) this is the very last sentence in A&P by John Updike, it emphasizes the consequences when you let Id, and ego get too far and when your superego starts to kick in. In this short story psychoanalytic criticism is highlighted, It focuses on a work of literature as an expression in fictional form of the inner workings of the human mind. The theories about psychoanalytic criticism were developed by Sigmund Freud who is considered to this day to be one of the most influential scientists in psychology and psychiatry, he discovered, taught about the unconscious mind and psychological defenses, including denial, repression. he also developed the id, ego, and superego Which is shown throughout the story within the characters. The psychoanalytical criticism lens look for evidence of unresolved emotions, conflicts or guilt, and fluctuations of the characters feelings or ideas. All of these can be seen in A&P short story, the story takes place in a store where the narrator Sammy is ringing up groceries. Suddenly 3 girls in bathing suits walk in Sammy makes very detailed observations about each one, until the “leader” of them who he refers to as “queenie” catches his eye. This immediately shows the fluctuations from one character to another even if the feelings aren't reciprocated. The girls are browsing around and other customers …show more content…
The I'd is the impulse inside of us, Teenagers normally tend to be irrational. For example, they are irrational in making major decisions in their lives. Based on human psyche our minds consisting of the conscious (rational) and unconscious (irrational). Sammy quits his job for a silly reason which is to defend Queenie and the other two girls. He made this decision out of impulse without thinking it through.
“Did you say something,