Characterization in John Updike's "A&P"
The short story "A&P" by John Updike, takes place in a grocery store in a small Massachusetts town where conservative social values are monotonous. When people follow a certain regime everyday, it is hard to accept change because people tend to like the way things are. It is a comfortable and easy routine to follow for most. Sammy, Updike's main character in "A&P", however, is the comical contrast to the 'normal' people of the town. He is a typical rebellious and smart-mouthed teenager who is very bored of the way he lives and is easily swayed by the appeal of three girls who comes in to the store. Uniquely, Updike uses Sammy to link food items in the store to develop characterization with the store manager; Lengel, the customers and the three girls.As the manager, Lengel is a typical rule setter. He obeys and practices social customs in everything he does. In "A&P", he is a hard working man with much ambition in contrast with Sammy. Although these qualities are mentioned throughout the short story, he is instead, also descr
The use of peat moss signifies that he is equally low; similar to manure which is unappealing and the use of aluminum chairs reveals that he is a tightfisted (cheap) human being. The food items they choose such as "oatmeal" (31), again, describes the customers as dull, unexciting beings. ibed as someone who is insignificant and of no value. This unusual sight gives Sammy some excitement as compared to the usual customers that come in. The three girls in turn are emphasized as youthful, ritzy and appealing through the items they choose to look at and buy. The center of attention of the story and to Sammy is the three girls who walk in the store in their swimsuits. Eventually, the three girls come to Sammy with "Kingfish Fancy Herring Snacks in Pure Sour Cream" (232), indicating that they did not choose any plain snack, but something more out of the ordinary, which gives Sammy the impression that these girls have a ritzy quality about them. Likewise, peat moss and aluminum chairs give the impression of little worth and of unattractiveness. This obviously indicates that she is a tempting and luscious character in Sammy's eyes. The A&P is further referred to as a stockyard where the girls are "walking against the usual traffic (sheep)" (231). This use of characterization is very effective in permitting the reader to understand the concepts underlined in the story. Although at first glance, the link between the characters and items are not clearly seen. Walking into a grocery store in swimsuits was indecent and a social shock in the mid-twentieth century for most people. The peaches were not just any plain peaches, but they were delight peaches, which are much finer tasting. Cookies and peaches have a sweet and youthful appeal, whereas oatmeal has an old-fashioned impression.
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Acceptance Essays
