Shoplifting From American Apparel; The Final Post!

Summary: The ending to the novella was interesting and odd, but I believe it’s due to the fact that I haven’t read many novellas. In the last few pages, Sam has been to many places and a lot has occurred in so little time. So much was happening at once, that he didn’t even have time to cyber chat with Luis. Sam was also arrested once more for shoplifting (it's like he didn't learn the first time). Towards the end of the book, Sam went to Gainesville, Florida. There he partied a lot, and spend enormous amounts of time doing nothing. While he was on his trip in Florida I got to find a lot about Sam. For example, I found out that he wanted to be a Marine Biologist as he grew up, and that his parents are in Taiwan. After some time in Gainesville he returned to New York City to do what he loves most, write weird pieces of literature.

Quotation:: "At the police station Sam called Robert" (Lin 65).

Reaction:Reaction: Sam was arrested again. This time he was arrested for stealing headphones. What was strange about it was that he was stealing headphones because his broke, and headphones costs about five dollars. But I guess something that is worth five dollars is not worth something to Sam, because he was arrested trying to shoplift headphones that cost forty-dollars. In my opinion, he being arrested twice is the climax of the novel, and the falling action is him going to Florida.

Shoplifting From American Apparel; Pages 34-56

Summary: Sam is now out of jail, and will need to serve two days of community service. Well, he had two option: one, have one day of community service and have a record, or do two days of community service and have his record cleared. Sam, wanting to be a promising writer decided to take the two days. While doing the community service Sam had the opportunity to meet other folks who had done something bad as well, and are actually in worse conditions. After the community service was all sorted out, Sam began to work at a vegan restaurant. At the restaurant he would work quite a bit, more than what he was used to. And one day, he mentions to Ben, a fellow co-worker, that he wanted to stop working but still get paid. Sam also mentioned how he was ‘tired of life’. To me, it seems like Sam was never a hard worker, and he lives the simple life. He doesn’t do much but eat and drink many organic products and just hang out with friends.

Though, his relationships with his friends are weird. An example of a weird relationship is the relationship between Sam and Luis. For one, they only talk on Gmail, and they have weird conversations overall.

Sam and Sheila are not together anymore. It’s weird how I find out what happens between friends, because the narrator doesn’t necessarily tell the audience directly. Like the way I found out that they are not together is through a dialogue where another character, Kaitlyn, asked Sam is he still goes out with Sheila and Sam responded ‘no’.

Quotation: “Then why don’t you like her anymore?” / “I don’t know,” said Sam, “I do like her” (Lin 55).

Reaction: The first quotation was asked by Kaitltyn. The question was directed towards Sam and it was pertaining to his ex-girlfriend Sheila. At the beginning of the dialogue Kaitlyn asked Sam if he still liked her, and Sam said ‘no’. But, as you can see with the quotation I have displayed above, he contradicted himself by saying that he does indeed like her. To me, I believe this quote shows the internal conflict that Sam has; weather he should hang on to the feelings he has for Sheila, or letting go and moving on. And as a note, there was a scene where Sam met Sheila in public (when they were not dating), and Sheila was with this guy. Though they walked right by each other and noticed each other, they did not greet each other.