QUESTION

For the final essay, we examine the four protagonists (Sammy, Queenie, Harry, or Helene) of “A&P” and “Who Am I This Time?” in terms of the article, “Mentally Strong People,” by Amy Morin. Which two characters are the strongest? Argue why they are strong. Apply Moran’s ideas in your analysis. Cite her ideas accurately. Build a four-paragraph essay: an introductory paragraph, two body paragraphs (one for each protagonist), and a conclusion explaining your personal observations on Moran’s article. Please note: You must select one character from “A & P” and one character from “Who am I this time?” 500 word

SOLUTION

Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

✅ Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Your Comparative Character Essay

1. Understand the Assignment Goals

You’re writing a 4-paragraph comparative analysis essay (minimum 500 words) that:

Picks one character from “A&P” (Sammy or Queenie)
Picks one character from “Who Am I This Time?” (Harry or Helene)
Evaluates their mental strength using Amy Morin’s article “Mentally Strong People”
Cites Morin’s specific principles to support your claims
Ends with a personal reflection on the article

2. Read and Annotate the Sources

Review the stories: Look for how each character makes decisions under pressure, shows self-awareness, or challenges social expectations.
Reread Amy Morin’s article: Highlight the 13 habits of mentally strong people. Take note of which characters embody which traits.

Example Morin principles to look for:

“Mentally strong people don’t fear taking calculated risks.”
“They don’t waste energy on things they can’t control.”
“They embrace change.”

3. Organize Your 4-Paragraph Essay

Paragraph 1: Introduction (approx. 100–120 words)

Briefly introduce the two short stories and Amy Morin’s article
State your thesis: Which two characters are mentally strongest, and why?

Example Thesis:
“Both Helene from ‘Who Am I This Time?’ and Sammy from ‘A&P’ exhibit core habits of mentally strong individuals as outlined in Amy Morin’s article, particularly in their willingness to embrace change and make tough decisions based on personal values.”

Paragraph 2: Character from “A&P” (approx. 150–200 words)

Choose either Sammy or Queenie
Describe their actions or decisions in the story
Connect their behavior to specific principles from Morin’s article
Cite Morin accurately and explain how the character matches her ideas

Example:
“Sammy demonstrates mental strength when he quits his job in protest of how the store manager treats Queenie. According to Morin, ‘mentally strong people don’t shy away from change’ (Morin, 2013). Though impulsive, Sammy’s choice shows he’s willing to stand by his principles, knowing there are consequences.”

Paragraph 3: Character from “Who Am I This Time?” (approx. 150–200 words)

Choose either Harry or Helene
Discuss their transformation or courage
Apply 1–2 of Morin’s traits
Use a quote or paraphrase from Morin to support your analysis

Paragraph 4: Conclusion and Reflection (approx. 100–150 words)

Reflect on what you learned from applying Morin’s ideas
Which habit stood out most to you?
Did the article change how you view strength in people?

Example:
“Morin’s emphasis on embracing vulnerability and change helped me better understand Helene’s courage. Mental strength isn’t just bold actions—it’s also emotional honesty, something both Helene and Sammy model in their own ways.”

4. Citation Tips

Use APA, MLA, or Chicago—just stay consistent. Example for APA:

Morin, A. (2013). 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/

In-text citation: (Morin, 2013)

✅ Final Checks Before Submitting:

✅ Is the essay at least 500 words?
✅ Do you analyze one character from each story?
✅ Do you include at least two direct references to Morin’s article?
✅ Is your conclusion personal and reflective?
✅ Are your citations accurate and formatted correctly?

Analyzing Character Strength in “A&P” and “Who Am I This Time?” Through Amy Morin’s Lens