A & P By John Updike Analysis

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In “A&P” by John Updike, the story takes place in a 1950’s grocery store called A&P. This story reflects the life and culture of what life was like in the post-war era of the 1950’s. A&P is a small town grocery store located in downtown Massachusetts during the 1950’s. During this time, the country is recovering from the Great Depression and World War II. After the Great Depression and World War II, “new items constantly appeared on the racks” (Young 81). In the store, brand names of food appear throughout; some names of these items include HiHo crackers, Diet Delight Pancakes, and Kingfish Fancy Herring Snacks. The author, John Updike, relates to the well-stocked “cat-and-dog-food-breakfast-cereall-macroni-rice-raisins-seasonings-spreads-spaghetti-soft-drinks-crackers-and-cookies” (Updike 158) aisle the three girls travelled up during the post war period. …show more content…
The story, “A&P,” takes place in a small town grocery store in Massachusetts during the 1950’s. Sammy, the narrator, notices three girls walking in wearing no shirt and shoes, just bathing suits. During this time, people did not wear bathing suits indoors, especially in a public setting, thus, producing a shocked emotion by people observing the girls, including Sammy. At the end of “A&P,” Sammy quits his job, showing justice and rebellion, since his boss is embarrassing the girls for wearing bathing suits in an inappropriate place. Sammy hopes the girls will see what he has done for them; however, they leave the store to continue their own lives, while Sammy begins a new, but challenging life of his own. The story of “A&P” is a coming of age story for Sammy. He makes an ordeal of an immature decision about some unknown, embarrassed girls wearing bathing suits in public setting, thinking it is the right adult decision, challenging his traditional

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