The existentialism depicted by Sammy and Queenie characters in John Updike A & P short story

This thesis is about an analysis of John Updike’s short story, A & P short story. The concerns are on analyzing the human existence of two major characters, Sammy and Queenie. The theory used to analyze the short story is existentialism theory by Jean Paul Sartre, particularly his three concepts: freedom, choice, and responsibility. Besides, new criticism theory is used as the supporting theory. The result of this study explains about the personality of the two major characters, Sammy and Queenie who have connection with their way in building their existence. Since it uses Sartre’s three concepts, it is found that the choice that has been taken by Sammy and Queenie as the form of freedom that they have. However, it has consequences that they have to receive as the responsibility. In which Queenie has chosen to only wear bathing suits in supermarket. In which as the consequence, she has to receive getting reprimand from Lengel, a manager of A & P supermarket and surprised looks from some people, whereas Sammy has decided to quit from his job because he wanted to attract Queenie’s attraction, in which as the result, he will feel it for the rest of his life. The Sammy’s action as the consciousness of his existence is a form of being-for-itself, while his reaction of Queenie appearance is a form of being-for-other.