A & P and Daily Use Analysis and Comparison In a modern society where good deeds and integrity are taken for granted, it is necessary for people stand up for what is right. The short story “A&P,” written by John Updike, tells the story of Sammy and how he takes a stand for what he believes is right, only he isn't given the gratitude he deserved. “Everyday Use”, written by Alice Walker, is another story that shows how essential it is to remain steadfast in one's convictions and beliefs, especially in family matters. Mom, the protagonist of "Everyday Use", must make the decision whether to protect her awkward daughter Maggie, or surrender to Dee, her other self-centered daughter who has forgotten their family's traditional values. These two stories indicate the importance of protecting people from the harshness of reality because not everyone is confident or aware enough to be able to defend themselves. Although good deeds often go unrecognized, the inevitable lessons of maturity can be taught through such experiences. In "A&P," Sammy is a teenage employee who doesn't get credit for doing what he believes is a good deed. During a hot day, three teenage girls enter the A&P grocery store, wearing only their bathing suits. The image of the girl's skimpy clothing provides a stark contrast to both the simple interior of the store and that of the other conservative customers. Sammy describes the customers as “sheep” because they seem mindless as they follow each other down the aisles in one continuous, constant motion. However, these three girls run afoul of the "sheep" imagery by breaking the norms of what the A&P grocery store, and society at large, have proclaimed as accessible... middle of paper... every day . use, as Mom and Maggie rightly did. Both of these stories express the importance of standing up for what is right, regardless of whether one's action may go unnoticed or whether one may be faced with the difficult decision of choosing one daughter over the other. A person's integrity and character develop every time a person stands up for what they believe in. Standing up for what is right is a good deed and people should always stand firm for what is right because despite possible losses, there is a lot to be done. more to gain. .Works CitedUpdike, John. “A&P” literature: read, react, write, compact. Ed. Laurie G. Kirszner. and Stephen R. MandellNew York: Heinle, 2006Walker, Alice. "Daily use." Literature: read, react, write, compact. Ed. Laurie G. Kirszner. and Stephen R. MandellNew York: Heinle, 2006