"A & P" by John Updike

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Travis Johnson

February 10, 2003

Rating: 7 of 10

“A & P” by John Updike        

In the short story “A&P”, Sammy a young clerk at the A&P, a local grocery store, experiences some unusual customers that end up affecting his entire life through a series of events. First person narration, charecterization, historical and geographical setting, and symbolism are a few of the ways the author, John Updike gives the reader an inside look into the adolescents mind. All of these literary devices enhance the meanings of the story’s symbols as the boy’s personality and view of his world change from content to admiration to resignation.

Sammy, the first person narrator, plays an essential role in portraying an in depth viewpoint of the story. For example, Sammy tells us that he lives with his parents and that he disapproves the supermarket’s customers. He labels them clueless, ignorant, and lost when he refers to them as, “The sheep pushing their carts down the aisle.”. He also tells the reader how three teenage girls attract much attention to them when they walk in with nothing but bathing suits on. He goes into depth on each of their physical features, such as their bikinis and body shapes. Furthermore, he tells us their actions, attitudes, and gestures. In using first person narration, Sammy is able to present incidents very convincingly. For example, he explains the setting and action in a very real way, which draws the reader closer into the story making one feel inside the story.

In “A&P”, the author uses characterization to develop the characters and reveal those character traits to the reader.  There are many examples in the story that embody this. The protagonist, Sammy, represents a round and well-developed character. His reaction to the conflict between the three attractive girls and the manager of the store reflects his responsiveness to change. Lengel, the manager, and “the sheep”, or the customers, are examples of flat and barely developed characters. Lengel is a very stereotypical boss who goes by the rules and does what he has to do in reflection of the state of the store and “the sheep” represent the stereotype of the usual customers in the grocery store. Another example of is based on Stokesie, another checker. He is a foil for Sammy because he is a little older than Sammy and shows none of Sammy’s imagination, restlessness, or nonconformity. Thus, Stokesie suggests what Sammy might become if he were to continue to work at the A&P. The three girls, which include Queenie the dominant one of the three, are examples of static characters because they essentially remain unchanged throughout the entrance and exit of the story.

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Primarily, the historical setting of the story, “The A & P”, tremendously affects the decisions of the main characters.  This story took place in the early to mid 1900's, and during this time it was not acceptable to appear in public dressed inappropriately.  If this incident would have taken place today, then nobody would think anything of it, and there would be nothing to write a story over.  However, because it happened so long ago, people were appalled at the behavior of the three girls.  This time period affected the entire outcome of the story because today a grocery store ...

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