The Alligators By John Updike Analysis

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The Alligators is a short story written by John Updike that explores the world of Charlie, a fifth grade student from Maryland. Charlie imagines a world different from the one he’s living in because of love. The Alligators teaches us that love can be blissful but also painful through Charlie realizing his love for Joan so he treats her better but as a result, it was only a fraction from his imagination. A counterclaim that is brought up is popular people strive for power. Even though this is a powerful idea, the overall theme is truley love can be blissful but also painful.
The main claim of the story is that Charlie learns that love can be blissful but also painful. On page four, Updike describes Charlie’s feelings for Joan as pedaled notes