a p updike essay

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John Updike's somewhat ironic short story A&P is an interesting choice for an analysis paper. It describes how Sammy, a dreamy assistant in an A&P store, is distracted when three girls in bikinis come in to buy a jar of herring snacks. Sammy enjoys watching them but the shop manager rebukes them for the way they are dressed, embarrassing them. Intending to make a grand gesture to impress them, Sammy takes off his apron and announces that he is resigning. It fails, as the girls have already left and don't even notice. Before writing a paper on this story it's necessary to do some preliminary research. The obvious place to start is by reading the story thoroughly. What impression does the reader form of Sammy's character? Look at how he thinks of the work crew up the street, and of his co-workers. Examine his initial impressions of the three girls. Are there any clues that suggest he is capable of such a gesture? Sammy quitting his job is portrayed as a huge sacrifice, both through its dramatic significance in Sammy's mind and through the comments of the manager, Mr Lenger; Lenger talks about the impact Sammy's decision will have on his parents. In reality, what sort of prospects does a job like this hold? Will quitting it have a major impact on his future? What is the message of the story? There are two possibilities to look at. The fact that the girls are oblivious of what Sammy has done could be a comment on the futility of romantic gestures (a typical Updike theme.) Alternatively it could be an illustration of the dangers of non-conformity. The girls, by shopping in swimsuits, are violating a social norm, as Lenger points out to them. Sammy also violates one, by going against the expectations of Lenger and probably his parents (and likely to some extent himself) in favour of a gesture that in intent, if not dramatic impact, is basically medieval chivalry. At the.
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An Analysis of John Updike's A&P Length: 715 words (2 double-spaced pages) Rating: Red (FREE)   - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Interpretation of A&P   This Story takes place in 1961, in a small New England town's A&P grocery store.  Sammy, the narrator, is introduced as a grocery checker and an observer of the store's patrons.  He finds himself fascinated by a particular group of girls.  Just in from the beach and still in their bathing suits, they are a stark contrast, to the otherwise plain store interior.  As they go about their errands, Sammy observes the reactions, of the other customers, to this trio of young women.  He uses the word Sheep to describe the store regulars, as they seem to follow one and other, in their actions and reactions.  The girls, however, appear to be unique in all aspects of their beings: walking, down the isles, against the grain: going barefoot and in swim suits, amongst the properly attired clientele. They are different and this is what catches and holds Sammy's attention.  He sees them in such detail, that he can even see the queen of the bunch.  Sammy observes their movements and gestures, up until the time of their checkout.  At which point, they are confronted by the store manager and chastised for their unacceptable appearance.  He believes their attire to be indecent.  Sammy, feeling that the managerial display was unnecessary and unduly embarrassing for the girls, decides to quit his position as checker.  Thought he knows that his decision may be hasty, he knows that he has to follow through and he can never go back.  He leaves, with a clean conscious, but the burden of not knowing what the future has in store.             This story represents a coming-of-age for Sammy.  Though it takes place over the period of a few minutes, it represents a much larger process of maturation.  From the time.
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