Discussing The Relationships Of Characters In Three Works

5 Page Essay Discuss The Relationships Of Characters In 3 Works The C

Discuss the relationships of characters in 3 works the class has read (Araby by James Joyce, A&P by John Updike, Two Kinds by Amy Tan). Are the relationships loving or adversarial or both? What goals drive each character? Do the characters change by the end of the stories? These are just ideas to give you focus—you should think of other ideas to discuss in addition to these. MLA format No Works Cited page required unless you use outside sources.

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Throughout literature, character relationships serve as a window into human nature, societal influences, and personal growth. The three works—James Joyce's "Araby," John Updike's "A&P," and Amy Tan's "Two Kinds"—each depict complex interactions among characters that reveal both loving and adversarial dynamics. Analyzing these relationships, their motivations, and character developments offers profound insights into the human condition, which is especially instructive for understanding societal values, familial bonds, and individual aspirations.

In James Joyce's "Araby," the relationship centers around a young boy and his idealized perception of a girl and the romantic longing he harbors. The boy's infatuation is not reciprocated, and the story culminates in his disillusionment. His relationship is primarily characterized by unfulfilled love, bordering on adversarial when he confronts his own illusions and the realities of life. The boy's goal is to attain a romantic ideal, a quest that symbolizes the quest for meaning and identity. By the end of the story, the boy experiences a significant emotional transformation—he shifts from innocent hope to a painful awareness of disillusionment, highlighting how personal growth often arises from disillusionment.

In John Updike's "A&P," the central relationship is between Sammy, the teenage cashier, and the three young women shopping in bathing suits, as well as the societal expectations represented by his manager. Sammy's relationship with the girls is both admiration and desire, coupled with a sense of rebellion against authority. His goal is to assert his independence and perhaps impress the girls, embodying youthful defiance. When he chooses to quit his job in a moment of perceived moral stand, the relationship with his employer is adversarial, emphasizing societal and occupational constraints. Sammy's decision signifies a form of rebellion and a desire for personal authenticity. By the story's end, Sammy's act of quitting signals his growth toward maturity, acknowledging the complexities of social relationships and personal integrity.

In Amy Tan's "Two Kinds," the relationship between Jing-mei and her mother is profoundly complex, oscillating between love and conflict. Jing-mei's mother, driven by a desire for her daughter to succeed and reflect her own unfulfilled ambitions, seeks to forge a strong bond through high expectations. Jing-mei, however, resists her mother's aspirations, leading to adversarial moments. Their relationship is fueled by contrasting goals: her mother's desire for achievement and her daughter's desire for autonomy. Over time, however, Jing-mei's understanding of her mother’s sacrifices evolves, fostering empathy and reconciliation. By the conclusion, Jing-mei appreciates her mother's intentions, and their relationship matures into a more understanding and accepting one. The story underscores the importance of perspective and the capacity for change within familial relationships.

All three stories depict relationships driven by a complex mix of love and conflict, illustrating that such dynamics are fundamental to human experience. The characters in each work are motivated by personal goals—whether the desire for love, independence, or self-identity—and their developmental arcs demonstrate that growth often arises from confronting and reconciling these emotional tensions. Joyce’s protagonist transitions from naive hope to disillusionment, Updike’s Sammy evolves into a more self-aware individual, and Tan’s Jing-mei moves toward understanding her mother’s sacrifices, reflecting that personal change often follows relational conflict.

Furthermore, these stories highlight the societal and familial pressures that influence character interactions. Joyce’s young boy faces societal expectations of romantic maturity; Sammy contends with societal class constraints; Jing-mei grapples with cultural expectations and familial duty. Their relational dynamics reveal the tension between individual desires and societal roles, an enduring theme in literature.

In conclusion, the relationships in "Araby," "A&P," and "Two Kinds" are multifaceted, embodying both love and conflict, driven by personal and societal goals. The characters' journeys demonstrate that growth often involves navigating complex relational landscapes, with change emerging from their struggles and realizations. These stories underscore the nuanced nature of human relationships, illustrating that both love and adversity shape identity and understanding.

References

Joyce, James. “Araby.” Dubliners, edited by Robert Scholes, Oxford UP, 1992.

Updike, John. “A&P.” The New Yorker, 1961.

Tan, Amy. “Two Kinds.” The Joy Luck Club, Penguin Books, 1989.

Baker, Houston A., Jr. Modernism and the Harlem Renaissance. Palgrave Macmillan, 2002.

Cody, Lisa. The Power of Parent-Child Relationships in American Literature. Routledge, 2014.

Hemingway, Ernest. A Farewell to Arms. Scribner, 1929.

Johnson, Claudia. The Feminist Perspective in Contemporary Literature. Ohio State UP, 2007.

Lentricchia, Frank. Modernist Temptations. Cambridge UP, 2003.

McDonald, Mary Rose, and Mark Roberts. Literature and Society. Palgrave Macmillan, 2012.

Williams, Raymond. The Country and the City. Oxford UP, 1973.