“The Glass Menagerie” by Tennessee William and “A & P” by John Updike are both stories of agonizing confinement and eventual escape. Tom and Sammy are trapped in a place where they reduce their existence, unable to escape their miserable conditions due to an opposing force that holds them prisoner. Their families rely on them for whatever income they can, and neither Sammy nor Tom wishes to disappoint those who depend on him. Both have stable and potentially permanent jobs; however, they desire excitement and freedom rather than the perpetual routine to which they are bound. Men are discouraged by the circumstances to which they are confined and a catalyst is needed to spark the ambition to become independent. By undergoing a change that opens their eyes to a world beyond the limited life of oppression they previously led, they face the difficult transition to greater personal freedom. Complete freedom, however, is only achieved by Sammy; Tom is physically free but has the memory of his dear sister Laura, who forever binds his heart to the home he once knew. Sammy and Tom are forced into monotonous jobs with no pay or reward; their disgust for the work environment and for those who hold them hostage is evident. Sammy lacks respect for the customers, whom he rates as “sheep pushing their carts down the aisle” (Updike 1493). He describes his boss, Lengel, as a "very patient, old and gray" man (Updike 1496) who is "rather sad" (Updike 1495) – a manager with a dry personality that matches that of the store itself. The A&P is a shop that operates according to a policy, like a clock whose gears should click and click constantly, but have no value individually. I feel...... middle of paper......u behind me, but I'm more loyal than I intended to be! I…[do]…anything that will blow out your candles!” (Williams 97). Although he has achieved freedom in terms of space and finances, he is still brought home by the constant thought of his sister, whom he loved deeply. He feels a sense of remorse for having been yet another man to abandon Laura, a burden that Sammy doesn't carry because he only left his job, not his family. Both Sammy and Tom are freed from the bleak situations they find themselves in, although Sammy believes his actions lead to a more optimistic future while Tom can only dwell in the past. They learn that life cannot be lived based entirely on the desires of others, nor can an occupation be solely for the purpose of monetary gain; there must be goals to walk towards. Only when they realize this are they able to find true freedom in life.