The character of Jay August is developed throughout the story with dialogues that capture his psychological traits more frequently than his physical traits. During the story, Jay reveals his childhood naivete repeatedly. By saying, "...I was sure that only stupid people took an interest in money" (Updike 490) he reveals that he has not yet learned that money is necessary in life. Throughout the story, he refers to objects with concern for aspiration and beauty, but does not realize that it takes wealth to obtain these objects. To him, New York is the silver town, "Shimmering buildings arrowed upward and glinted through the treetops...Towers of ambition rose, crystalline within me" (Updike 493). He does not realize that ambition and shimm

Jay is an individual who is influenced differently by both his mother and his father. Jay relates closely to his mother because they share a love of art and aesthetic values, disdain for crass and selfish values, and a similar way of thinking. He respects his father, Marty, but is also annoyed by him because of the way he agrees with everyone and does not stick up for himself. Marty continually tells Jay how smart he is and how successful he will be one day. Towards the end of the story Jay begins to realize and appreciate the man that Marty is. He finds that even though Marty is not a successful businessman, he has been successful in raising a family and providing for them. Marty is there to assist Jay in growing up. He has been through it before and knows of the disappointment. Jay begins to respect and value how and where he lives. He gains newfound priorities and values that will help to shape his life for the better.

The chief conflict that Jay August is confronted with is when an eyelash falls into his eye and obstructs his lucid vision. He shows his loss of lucid vision when he doesn't act as precociously and acts more as a child. When Jay's Uncle Quin calls for a doctor, Marty insists on trying to remove the eyelash himself. Jay, trying to take on the role of big city life, repulses him. Jay's reaction causes him to be unable to

Some common words found in the essay are:
Uncle Quin, Jay August, Club Jay, Marty Marty, Pickernut Club, August Children, York City, jay august, throughout story, learning experiences, significant learning experiences, childhood naivete, conflict jay, silver town, jay learns, significant learning, frustration disappointment, towards story,
Approximate Word count = 914
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)