Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Seniors A&P response
-Post a response to Mr. H’s blog. Your response should be about 150-200 words. Comment on Sammy’s lesson, Updike’s theme, imagery, setting, symbolism, or any other aspect of the story that yanks your chain. In your entry, respond to at least one other posting. Early responders, come back to respond to other postings.
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In John Updike’s A&P, the theme of superficiality seems to stand at the forefront. Throughout the story, Sammy judges the girls solely on their looks, naming the prettiest girl “Queenie,” and deciding that she must be the leader of the other two girls. Updike continues to comment on the superficiality of many people as they shop for their groceries, emphasizing their ignorance when he suggests that they would keep checking for the groceries on their lists even if dynamite were to go off. Sammy also assumes that since the ladies walk with poise, they must be rich, having parties with “drinks the color of water with olives and sprigs of mint” instead of the “lemonade” that his parents would serve to company. Seeing the girls in all their composure, Sammy believes this is the best way to live and that the girls should be treated with some kind of higher respect. However, when Sammy quits his job in pursuit of their gratitude for their “unsuspected hero,” he learns that following the crowd does not end with glory. He loses his job just for the short-term affection of the superficial.
I enjoyed the irony in the imagery as Sammy walks out after quitting his job and “the sunshine is skating around on the asphalt.” Although leaving one’s job can sometimes be freeing, for Sammy it symbolized his weakness for trying to impress the superficial and the beginning of “how hard the world was going to be to [him] hereafter.”
A & P brilliantly mixes superficiality, fantasy, irrational behavior, and adolescents into a comical first person narrative. I am quite certain that the artificial descriptions of the three girls and imposing a hierarchy based on their good looks upset at least half the classroom. Perhaps that is what makes this short story so intriguing, it is so exaggerated, so disproportionate, that the true purpose of the story is initially hidden. Sam is shallow, basing his assumptions strictly on their appearance. However, more importantly he is passionate and imaginative. Looking closely he does not only use judgmental descriptions on the girls, but everything around him. The cash drawers many sounds, Lengel's self-image, and the store acting as a pinball machine are other examples of his applied imagination. He has the major qualities that define youth; He is judgmental, superficial, and imaginative. He blends imagination with reality and because of his youth he can barely discern the two. It is all a dream until the conclusion when reality strikes at him hard. Believing himself a hero and quitting his job because the girls were lightly scolded is a reaction only an impulsive young male could make. Yet there is a sort of freedom that he obtains when he quits his job. The A & P is a dull shop and Sam's job symbolizes the repetition of daily activity. He uses the metaphor of people acting as pinballs in a machine when in the store, they have no volitional or deliberate control that is noticeable. When these girls walk in, to him, they are an extraordinary opportunity. Being young and daring he takes hold of the opportunity and breaks free of his repetitious tasks. Yet, the ending is not so optimistic. After he believes he has defended the girls' right to be in swimsuits, and walks out of the store, only then does he realize the trivial nature of his action. He hears a married couples child crying in the parking lot, and the world does not look so rewarding after all. His imagination built up a magnificent scenario of heroism, yet, in his situation there is no such glorious opportunity.
In his story, Updike creates a jarring scene. The setting and objects are quite ordinary on their own, but when the three girls in bathingsuits are placed inside the A & P grocery store, it surprises everyone. Conservative heads are shaken, and lustful heads are turned, towards the three teenage girls shopping in their bikinis. On the one hand I agree with Sammy when he says he “began to feel sorry for them”, but on the other I have no sympathy for the lascivious glances they get because they chose to enter the store wearing almost nothing. They seem like petty attention seeking girls, but that could also just be Sammy’s narration. He goes off on a tangent about the least attractive one and suggests that the only reason her friends like her is because she is so plain. Like Nathan and Natalie said, it is superficial of him to compare the one with “primadonna legs” to a queen bee. He does a good job carrying out the analogy, however, when he observes her “buzzing” something to the other two. It also connects to his opinion of a girls mind as “just a little buzz like a bee in a glass jar,” although I certainly do not agree. The lesson he learns at the end is moot, because he does not take his own advice. Nathan said that only after he quits does Sammy realize his mistake, but I saw it differently. Lengel tells Sammy he will regret his decision, and he knows it’s true. The only reason he does not take back his decision is because of the juvenile belief that “once you begin a gesture it’s fatal not to go through with it.”
In the short story A&P, John Updike uses imagery to help enhance the story. From the girls in the bathing suits to Sammy to Legel, the “dreary Sunday school teacher”, Updike uses imagery to liven up the commonplace everyday routine of the A&P. Updike’s imagery helps to develop the characters and the situation they find themselves in. Sammy is superficial, judgmental and quick to make assumptions. When he sees the three girls, he quickly judges them based on their appearances and makes the assumption that the must be a part of upper class society. These three girls create somewhat of an unusual situation in the mundane world of the A&P store. I completely agree with Nathan when he says that “(Sammy) blends imagination with reality”. Sammy believes that he can play the role of “hero” by standing up to the manager Legel and quitting his job. However, his warped sense of reality hits Sammy when he realizes that the girls are not waiting for their “hero”. For Sammy, this letdown shows him that he is not the glorious hero and that his golden opportunity only leaves him jobless
“A & P” by John Updike is quite an entertaining story. Updike uses language and metaphors that make the main character and narrator, Sammy, very identifiable. From his initial descriptions of the girls as “chunky” and “having a very good tan”, it is clear that Sammy is a young man, although we do not immediately know his name. He describes things as “cute” and Queen’s breasts as “scoops of vanilla”, this reminds the reader think of teenage crushes. Updike also uses many animal comparisons. He continuously describes people as “sheep” and refers to clients as “scared pigs in a chute”. Sammy’s voice comes through vividly. It is as if the reader where engaging in one on one dialogue with him. The writing is informal and Sammy even announces when the turn of events is coming by saying “Now here comes the sad part of the story”. He builds up suspense by not revealing the embarrassing part of the story until the end of the next paragraph. Personally I think that the informal language, crude humor, and childish descriptions help give the story personality. These things are what really make the story work.
Natalia: I totally agree with you. Superficiality is a big theme, and I think this is what makes Sammy seem so immature. All he cares about is looks and it seems a bit immature to quit so suddenly. He does not seem to think about the consequences of his actions. It seems to me he just wants to impress the girls, who don’t even care, how ironic.
In “A&P,” I thought the setting was an important aspect of the story. From Sammy’s point of view, the store is a very dull, repetitive place, and he has a negative tone when describing the store and their items for sale. For example, he says the plastic toys for sale “fall apart when a kid looks at them anyway,” and mentions discount records “of the Caribbean Six or Tony Martin Sings or some such gunk you wonder they waste the wax on.” One thing I liked about the story was how all of the customers are compared to “sheep pushing their carts down the aisle” and then “scared pigs in a chute,” emphasizing the separation between the girls in bathing suits and the usual A&P customers.
In response to Natalie’s comment about Sammy judging the girls’ economic status by the way they walk, that’s not what happens. He assumes that the girl is rich because she is buying “Fancy Herring Snacks,” which are pretty fancy compared to what his parents serve at their get-togethers.
I definitely agree with Inanna when she points out that Sammy intentionally quits his job, knowing that he will regret it but following his philosophy that “once you begin a gesture it’s fatal not to go through with it.” It seems the complete opposite in this case and Updike is probably trying to point out the irony in that it is more likely to be fatal when one does not think through their gestures and make a decision that will benefit in the long run.
In A & P, John Updike uses a convenience store as his setting. This setting is where the entire story takes place. I’m simple stumble on the fact that John Updike is able to bring a normal situation where three girls come into the store and makes it so much more. Most people would not have paid attention to a situation like this and yet John Updike brings it up in his short story. I will probably not be amazed if people come inside stores with only bikinis. This short story however made me have a revelation. It made me question of what’s really happening around us. Do people take for granted what’s happening around them? For example, people doing handstands at school is pretty normal. Is it normal for people to do handstands somewhere else like Alaska and Nepal? Probably not but I don’t know for sure.
Megan: I guess that’s true. People are kinda like ‘sheep’ and ‘scared pigs’ in stores. Not much we can do about it though. In this era, people just don’t interact with each other as much as past eras. It’s pretty sad.
John Updike does an excellent job of creating interesting characters in his short story A&P. The amazing thing is that he manages to write an interesting and engrossing story all within the confines of an A&P store. Now can there really be a set more ordinary then an A&P store? It seems like the last place anything interesting could take place short of a full scale robbery. Well John Updike proves that it can be done. He manages to do it through use of his characters. They all have their little traits that make them interesting and human like. Like Katie says Sammy is "superficial, judgmental and quick to make assumptions". He also has a stubborn streak which reveals itself when he goes through with his resignation simply because he already said he would. Legel is also an interesting character. Being described as a "dreary Sunday school teacher" he shows himself to be a modest man who feels strongly about his morals. As for the girls, their descriptions are one of the main focuses of the book. Everything about them, from the way "Queenie" walks to the way the others huddle around her is carefully crafted to keep you interested in the text. Through use of his characters John Updike skillfully brings the everyday setting of an A&P store to life.
In the short story A&P the themes of materialistic and superficiality floods the scene. In the story, the character Sammy is the main caretaker of superficiality, all he cares about is the looks and what the girls are wearing, he doesn’t get to actually know the girls. Which leads me to believe that only an immature person, such as Sammy would do this. At one point Sammy names the most beautiful girl “Queenie” and she must be the ringleader or “Boss” of the clique. This perfect example of superficiality opens my eyes to the theme of materialistic as well. Throughout the story they are constantly worried about their looks and bikinis. They are consistently being judged and treated by the way their looks are. Another example is when the three girls strut into the grocery store wearing only their revealing bikinis, and immediately, everyone’s attention turn towards them. To an extent I feel that this is how a lot of people are, superficial and materialistic. Young kids, teenagers, and even adults need name brand items to attract attention or stand out. In today’s world it is hard to find a down to earth person that is not bothered by such attributes.
Responding to Megan and Ryan, I very much agree when you state that people are rude and act like "Sheep" or 'Scared Pigs". In todays world people lack the common courtesy and respect people had in the younger years. Half of the time their thinking about themselves.
In John Updike’s short story “A & P”, he uses a creative writing style to exhibit his fine line that Sammy experiences between want and reality. He uses simple objects and settings like the grocery store and bathing suits to create an uprising from a cashier. The wants are the girls and their whole edgy rebellion they took by only wearing bathing suits in the grocery store, and how Sammy sees this as dreamy and almost exotic. Sammy’s description of the girls, especially show the attention he gave to examining them. “Clean bare plane of the top of her chest down from the shoulder bones like a dented sheet of metal tilted in the light.” (Updike’s: A&P, 302). Updike really puts Sammy in a trance.
Then the reality hits. Then Lengel, the manager, must do his job and set them straight. It is a little scuffle but to prove some random point of existence, Sammy quits. “The girls, and who’d blame them, are in a hurry to get out, so I say ‘I quit’ to Lengel quick enough for them to hear, hoping they’ll stop and watch me, their unsuspected hero.” (304). The whole thing is quite agonizing because he has a dream, tries for the dream, and nothing really happens. It is kind of a sad tragedy how reality kills the want.
John Updike's novel A&P has many themes, symbols, and images. The overriding theme is simplicity. Throughout the story the images are described to be very simple every day items. The setting is simply a grocery store. Updike is able to transform his simple setting and plot into a story with a larger message. He comments repeatedly on the fakeness of the girls. He is also refreshingly judgmental. In our culture we are often to nice and polite. Updike takes a radical approach and tells it how it is. He does not feel bad for the chunky girl and as a reader I appreciated his honesty and openness to express his true feelings. Updike might be saying that society is to uplifting and complimenting that the reality is obscured. Updike creates a setting where all of the imperfections are revealed. He picks apart each of the girls physiques.
Natalie, I think that although he does not get the girl because he quits, he does gain a freedom and can look back on life and say that he did something cool and out of the ordinary. I would like to hope that his life works out and quitting was a good thing for him. However, the story seems to foreshadow that his quitting ruined his life.
John Updike’s creativity of ordinary imagery brings this short story to life. A cashier, a small shop, and three girls are uninspiring however when put together; Updike is able to artistically write an appealing story. Lengal is the conservative manager representing the reality of the shop. While Sammy dreams of the three girls that walk into the A & P store, he makes his own reality and completely believes in it. Even when Lengal tries to snap him back to actual reality, Sammy doesn’t agree with him and he quits. Knowing that he would regret his decision for the rest of his life, Sammy still quits out of the unwillingness to admit that he’s wrong. The three girls in their bathing suits represent the lustrous, rebellious aspect of life. When he sees the girls walk into the A & P store, Sammy’s adolescence and artificiality shows. Sammy doesn’t take his eyes off the girls even naming one of the girls “Queenie” and comparing the girl’s attractiveness to one another.
In A&P, by John Updike, there are many different vivid images used to present the characters. These images help the reader quickly know whom Updike is talking about. Along with these images, a theme of stronge judgment comes into play. As a reader, you can get a sense of Sammy’s natural characteristics, through his judgments of the girls. He uses individual images for each of them for example, “She was the Queen,” by saying this; Sammy is obviously stating that this girl was the prettiest. He continues to make comments about her through out the short story, which could represent a strong desire or crush for the girl. Sammy’s superficial and judgmental qualities continue him to make remark on the girls, calling one “chunky”. These qualities represent an immaturity in Sammy.
In response to another classmate’s blog, I agree with Natalie’s statements. I like how she ties in the superficiality of not only Sammy, but also the entire scene. The part, in which she states how the girls walk with poise, and how this represents a sense of wealth, is completely accurate in my eyes as well.
Over all everyone’s entries were very nice to read, because it showed a different perspective of all the possible themes, imagery, language, and setting.
In the story A&P, John Updike uses vivid imagery of irony and superficiality to portray Sammy’s views on good and bad, and what he believes is moral. As the girls walk in to the store Sammy immediately feels attracted to them, solely based on looks. He has no idea what their personality is, or who they really are but his desirability to the one girl in particular overpowers his morals. He begins to fantasize about them, how they act when the are home, and how elegant they must be because they look wealthy. They seem to be the “perfect” girls. The girls are close to wearing nothing, walking into the store wearing only their swim suits which seems to be inappropriate to the manager, but alluring to Sammy. As soon as the manager speaks their mind to the young girls all Sammy’s intelligence and manners go out the door. When he believes the manager is verbally attacking the girls he immediately gets defensive and decides to quit, because he is trying to be a hero to the young, attractive girls. Quitting his career and only source of finance he storms out of the store thinking the girls will flock to him. But he soon realizes that the girls had already disappeared, leaving him alone and jobless in the parking lot. He created this mess for himself by being superficial and shallow.
In this short story the author, John Updike, tells the story of a superficial cashier at A&P name Sammy. Sammy seems like the type of person who goes through life doing things just because he is suppose to. When three girls walk into the store on a slow Thursday afternoon Sammy takes a huge risk by quitting his job in order to defend the three girls who are getting harassed by the store manager. After quitting he realizes that the girls have left him without a single ounce of appreciation for defending them. Sammy learned a valuable lesson that day, always think before you act. A theme that Updike displays throughout the story is superficiality. Sammy comes off as a superficial person because in the first half of the story he completely judges the girls based on their physical appearance rather than getting to know them first. These shallow judgments come back to haunt him when he is left standing jobless and alone.
John Updike, in his A & P, begins with a seemingly simple setting and situation and twists it into an interesting story. Updike takes an ordinary, boring day at the grocery store and throws in a handful of fresh characters in bikinis. Suddenly this monotonous, hot day becomes a scene of interest and action. Updike, through cashier Sammy, ruthlessly critiques the girls in bikinis. He does not hold back any judgment weather it be positive or negative. From the “chunky” girl to “queenie” Sammy takes in every detail of their bodies, missing nothing. Despite this somewhat ruthless judgment, I appreciated the honesty and truth of the scene. No one was trying to hide anything, weather it be in appearance or character, something that is rarely seen in modern society. With bare feet and minimal apparel the girls are a symbol of innocent freedom. The manager, Lengel, cannot stand this kind of freedom and insists that the girls must conceal themselves, hide away their bodies as well as their personalities, and assume a detached, conforming air like the rest of the shoppers.
I agree with Forrest when he said that our society can be too nice and polite. We often mask blemishes and make excuses for things we cannot help. Is this bad though? While it might not be truthful to tell someone they look great when they don’t, or encourage people to do things they cannot, maybe it is what keeps our society working. It is these fake compliments and empty encouragements that we depend on to boost our self esteem. Perhaps this is true but I disagree with it. I think we should try and be more honest. Instead of ignoring imperfections we should just accept them. Nobody is perfect and if we can be OK with that I think we would all be happier.
In his short story “A&P”, John Unpike creates an interesting setting with interesting characters. The astonishing part of this story is the fact that it takes place in a simple supermarket; the complexity comes from the fact that the characters are so detailed. It starts with Sammy describing three girls that walked into the store, the description is so detailed that it is really easy picture the girls in ones mind. He gives each girl a nickname and a very visual image with it; it is a very unique way of describing things, which also makes fun and easy for the reader to enjoy. And how he describes the other shoppers as “sheep” in entertaining and if one were to think about it, it would make sense. The way shoppers are timid, like they do not want others to see what they are shopping for. The only words spoken to each other are “excuse me”, and “sorry”, when they get in each others way. Megan speaks of this. Also, his opinions of the girls simultaneously reveal what kind of person he is. Katie targets it perfectly: “he’s superficial, judgmental and quick to make assumptions.” Sammy is also very sarcastic in the way he describes the store management.
In John Updike's A&P, Sammy takes notice of the three girls who appear in the store in bathing-suits. Updike uses the simplicity as the setting in the store to create a bigger message. Updike uses a lot of description when Sammy is taking notice of the girls. At the end, Sammy stands up for the girls trying to be a hero when he says that he would quit. But after he does, he soon notices that they have left, leaving him with nothing. Sammy thinks that he is doing the right thing by quitting but his decision leaves him empty. Sammy's judgment of the three girls who walked in the store misled him. Being attracted to one of the girls, Sammy believes that by standing up for them he will able to become with them. The judgment made by Sammy ultimately caused him his happiness.
"A&P" by John Updike is a wacky, humor filled tale that takes the reader through a strange series of events that are supported with witty humor and rhetoric. Sammy, the protagonist, doesn't give much insight into himself personally other then by subtle hints that he uses through out the text as he describes the three girls wearing only bathing suits. He describes one as being like a queen leading a pack. Another one was described as being chunky. These qualities are all something that hints at Sammy being on the younger side. Later, when the girls come to him in line and his manager makes fun of them, he gets distraught by seeing the "queen" get embarrassed by the manager and states that he will quit which is kind of an immature move on his part.
I agree with Samantha's point of Updike's use of crude humor and childish behavior. Updike's story, although kind of heavy, keeps the reader into it with his sense of humor and his use of strange language.
Many themes are present in John Updike’s A&P. The most prevalent themes are superficiality and odd behavior. The girls in this story seem to be glamorized and their beauty and attitude seemed to be out of proportion with reality. Although at first the author did not give a name a to Sammy but he did give certain textual examples that could let us infer he was a male. The most obvious thing Sammy does is comparing the breasts to scoops of vanilla. After reading that we realize he is either a man, or a very open women. Sammy’s Superficiality is shown by his only c is being what the girls were wearing; he had no interest in the girls as people only as superficial objects.
I greatly enjoyed John Updike interesting style of writing that is difficult to read aloud. He creates a scenario that instantly captivates the reader. A comical story from beginning to end.
While I was reading this story, I felt that Updike emphasized that the girls were in direct contrast with the conservative store owner, Lengel. He constantly implied that the girls’ bathing suits were shockingly indecent. This grabbed my attention because growing up in Maui, walking around in public in your suit is the norm. When I noticed that the story was written in the 1960’s, Updike’s theme became apparent. During the 60’s, American culture was still emerging from the stifling, conservative ways of the 40’s and 50’s. Updike chose to explore this new liberal movement, comparing the older generations (Lengel), with the younger (Queenie). I do not feel that Updike had a negative view of the new movement. He did not portray the girls as overly promiscuous or unapologetic. Rather, I think he was taking a neutral stance; simply pointing out that old and young generations inevitably will clash over difference in ideologies.
Bryson: I agree with you. I feel Updike was definitely making a statement about superficiality and materialism, and this ties into my theory. Updike was comparing the superficial and materialistic values of the younger generations with the moral values of the older generations. This is why Sammy follows the girls, he is a young man, and thus has a different set of principles
Sammy ends the story with the observation the Lengal’s face looks “as if he’d just had an injection on iron” which Sammy feels is “how hard the world was going to me thereafter” (305). Sammy makes a decision to do what, he feels, is the right thing to do and consequently the world will become more difficult. John Updike makes the observation that breaking out of the conformist norm is difficult and often contains consequences. Throughout the story Updike uses the image of a sheep to characterize the patrons of the A&P. This image suggests that the society in this story is not one of individuals and free thinkers. “Queenie” presents an upset in this routine and the effect is contagious. Sammy finds himself having an opinion other than one that is commonly accepted. Lengal represents the mindset that is the standard of society and Sammy quitting is the representation of breaking away from that which is accepted or becoming an independent person. In that case, this story could be interpreted as a coming of age story. Sammy through the experience begins to be his own person.
Ryan: I agree that as a student in Hawaii this story seems almost absurd, we are accustomed to seeing people in bathing suits in every portion of our lives. Therefore I think that this story is telling of the culture. Both an era that was more conservative but also the region of the country in which there are more standards and expectations for society.
In John Updike’s A & P written in 1961, Sammy goes against society and the norm when he steps up for the three girls dressed in bathing suits. Back in these times, it was unacceptable for women not to dress modestly in a public setting. When Sammy sees his boss confront the three girls, he disagrees completely with Lengel’s actions and for shaming the girls. Lengel says to the girls: “We want you decently dressed when you come in here; after this come in here with your shoulders covered. It’s our policy” (303). Sammy quits soon thereafter thinking that he will be the girls’ “unsuspected hero” (304). Sammy goes against society and his boss and shows his strength by continuing to quit, even after his boss says that “he would not want to do this to his mom and dad” (304). Sammy learns overall from this situation that he is not the girls’ hero of the day for they do not even acknowledge his actions in support of their cause. Sammy loses his job and gains nothing more than a good feeling for sticking up for these girls.
I disagree with what Inanna says: “They seem like petty attention seeking girls”. I feel that these girls may be going against society but not to seek attention. They are just running a fast errand and are sticking up for women and their right to where what they feel is decent.
in A&P by John Updike, the clerk Sammy is surprised to see three girls walk in almost naked. in the time of the story, this was practically unheard of. the 1960's were a pure time and the face that someone was in public without covering themselves, was obscene. However, the girls represent the changing of an era, and the general feel of the youth was slowing becoming more relaxed and carefree. where the elders of the generation were still trapped in the past with the puritanism standards they grew up with.
and i agree with Natalie. Even though i think the times were different back then, superficiality wasn't.
In John Updike's A&P, he shows how artificial and fake modern day society seems by using the theme of superficiality throughout the story. The main character in the story, Sammy, who attempts to become a hero by standing up to this job, is hit by the harsh reality that superficiality is ok if your job is based on it. He quickly makes assumptions on everyone he watches and observes from the pretty girls to the everyday shoppers. Sammy's lesson is that in today's modern society, one must learn to adapt to how things are around them, no matter how superficial they may seem. Updike uses imagery in order to add more passion into the story and to help the reader see more through the eyes of the protagonist. The simple story which is set in an average grocery store is significant since as average as it may seem, interesting things still go on due to how people act. It reveals the excitement of everyday life since normally a non sci fi story about a supermarket would deem to be uninteresting, in most cases. Sammy's loss of a job is a symbol for having to adapt to society if you want to succeed, it shows the reader that sometimes they must restrain from their urges if they do not want to have to deal with financial or any other type of conflicts.
I agree with roberts statement on how he does a good job on creating an interesting and captivating novel. I also agree on how it was very difficult to read aloud.
P.S: i cannot access my google account so i am signed in as Michael. But This is actually Minami. I dont have an open I.D. Sorry.
I personally really did not like Dike’s writing style, as I read it I slowly became annoyed at it. The story itself was good story and showed adolescent irrationality and growth. Sammy seemed to be the typical self absorbed teenager as he thought he would be a great anti-hero if he quit his job there. But reality is that no one really cares like in real life. The girls in bathing suits were indeed slightly humiliated but Sammy quitting had nothing to do with them. That was Sammy’s choice, not theirs. To add to the theme of adolescence the point of view of Sammy obviously shows superficiality. He only comments on the looks of the girls and does not even wonder what their personality may be like. As Ryan pointed it out in his post this story does make you wonder what this world is becoming to be. Since it is Hawaii I guess we don’t care as much if people are walking around in a shop with just a bathing suit, but it does bring up the issue of manners and what not. Dike with his story of A&P truly shows the true essence of adolescence by it superficiality, irrational actions, and the philosophical question that arises.
In John Updike’s short story A&P, many themes and images occur. Though there was little to none action the short story was very symbolic. Updike’s simplicity in the story allows him to completely express what he wishes through his characters and symbols. The simplicity of Sammy’s character allows the reader to focus on his qualities. Sammy is completely changed throughout the text. He realizes that he is impendent and that makes him want to leave A&C. Sammy had to conform to superficiality of the American life. The three girl characters are also very symbolic in the development of Sammy. He puts each of them into to different categories and judged each one.
In John Updike's short story "A&P", we were able to look into the life of an adolescent who is slowly sliding into the realm of adulthood. Sammy finds himself amidst the presence of three woman, who he categorizes and judges based on their looks. In the previous blogs Sammy has been called shallow, immature, and to put it simply a "dick". Though i too don't think of Sammy as an unbelievably classy individual, i feel i must take on the role of his defender in some aspects. First off the man (or boy, whichever you wish to call him) has been working at a low paying, most likely astronomically boring job, when all of a sudden three girls dressed in "scandalous" outfits enter the store much to his surprise and elation. Due to the story taking place in the 60's, their dress was even more astonishing and dare i say "skanky". In defense of Sammy this would be like a young, horny man working an 8 hour day at your local Minit Stop when all of a sudden some girls walk in in a thong and bra, i mean from a guys point of view are you not going to look and think, "hmmm i wonder what these chicks are all about?". Although i am strongly against judging a book by its cover, i find it hard for people to reprimand Sammy regarding how he judged their looks. When you look at someone the first thing you notice is what they look like. This is not a juvenile thing it is simply a natural thing. You are not going to go up to someone you've never met and say, "Wow you have an awesome personality." This deduction of looks is not to be immature or superficial, but it is simply the first thing you see about someone. It is an impossibility for someone to observe someone's personality before their looks, unless you can read minds of course.... Although it probably wasn't in Sammy's best judgment to create scenarios, and impose gernalizations for the woman based on their looks, i must say that he is simply a bored man and this can often be a deadly combination. Although Sammy is not the typical "Prince Charming", he is not the scumbag jerk that many above made him out to be....even though I'm sure that this may induce mass rioting from the woman, i felt i had to help the poor dude out.
p.s: i felt that at the end of the novel when Sammy quit his job it was his final step towards growing up. With his decision to quit, Sammy had made his first big choice in life and this both exhilarated, and terrified him. For the first time he understood the push and pull relationship between decisions. He realizes that with each decision he makes there will be both positives and negatives. Unfortunately for Sammy due to his "helpless" damsels' departure, he was forced to fully feel the repercussions of this choice, and make the ascent from child to adult in the process.
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