The story of “A & P” is a compelling story about a teenager who was unhappy with his job. Sammy worked in a grocery store, A & P, and he hated everything to deal with the store. After three girls came in the store in bikini's, Sammy's attitude changes. Sammy picks out one girl he like from the three and nicknames the girl Queenie. Then, after Queenie tries to pay for her food she get in trouble by the store manger. After she pays and leave Sammy quits his job. This is very strange that he quits for someone he doesn't know, but the situation shows how Sammy feel about life. He doesn't want to have a boring life that's ordinary like the customers of A & P. Sammy wants his life exciting and a fun experience like seeing the girls in bikini's walk in the grocery store. Sammy's story and the way he feels is complicated and hard to understand. So, to understand what and how Sammy thinks, the exotic pickled herring snacks is used. The pickled herring symbolizes the process of Sammy's individuation. It is obvious that Sammy hates working at A & P, because the negative attitude he brings toward the customers. Sammy is surrounded by his view of how not to live. The herrings are located in the store surrounded by other foods that aren't as similar to it. Its exactly the same situation as Sammy. It represents the different views located in the store. This situation also pushes Sammy toward his individuation, because he feels alone, like the herring snacks are alone in the corner. Herring snacks are usually not bought in the store of A & P. It is usually bought by wealthy people. In an interview Updike said , “. . . [Sammy] is a blue collar kid longing for a white collar girl.” Since Updike said this shows that Queenie is a high class young lady. Queenie is the one to pick up the Herring snacks, like Sammy is picked up or drawn by her beauty and excitement. A jar of herring snacks contain many herrings. Peter Clecak explained, “ The idea of personal liberty remained constant: it comprised
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While Sammy quits and leave right after that event. Since the Herring snacks are leaves with Queenie, Sammy's symbol of the way to live life, Sammy is following behind to live the life he longs for. Porter tells, “ . . . it does not detect from the basic nobility of his chivalry intent, nor does it reduce the magnitude of his personal commitment” (1157). Once Queenie buys the hearing and receives a receipt the receipt proves that the herrings belongs to her. This is similar as Sammy quits, its proof that Sammy has a “ personal commitment” with his personal wants (1157). Also at this moment he has moved on from his negative surrounding and is moving towards, what he believes, is the good life. As he leaves the store manger says, “ You'll feel this for the rest of your life.” This is meant to be negative toward Sammy. Dessner agrees that Sammy's choice is negative by saying, Sammy, like the frightened child in Phillip Levine's poem “ To a Child Trapped in Barber Shop,” thinks that his “ life is over” (317). Since herring is a food eventually they will be eaten. So Sammy's life choice is soon or eventually haunt him and end badly like the herrings life
While Sammy quits and leave right after that event. Since the Herring snacks are leaves with Queenie, Sammy's symbol of the way to live life, Sammy is following behind to live the life he longs for. Porter tells, “ . . . it does not detect from the basic nobility of his chivalry intent, nor does it reduce the magnitude of his personal commitment” (1157). Once Queenie buys the hearing and receives a receipt the receipt proves that the herrings belongs to her. This is similar as Sammy quits, its proof that Sammy has a “ personal commitment” with his personal wants (1157). Also at this moment he has moved on from his negative surrounding and is moving towards, what he believes, is the good life. As he leaves the store manger says, “ You'll feel this for the rest of your life.” This is meant to be negative toward Sammy. Dessner agrees that Sammy's choice is negative by saying, Sammy, like the frightened child in Phillip Levine's poem “ To a Child Trapped in Barber Shop,” thinks that his “ life is over” (317). Since herring is a food eventually they will be eaten. So Sammy's life choice is soon or eventually haunt him and end badly like the herrings life