Meaning Of Life In John Updike's A & P

The meaning of life is a mystery many people try to figure out. Each individual will have a different perspective on how life should be lived. The meanings individuals construct is primarily based on what the individual needs in his or her own life. What each person needs to fulfill in his or her life will differ. This concept is shown in the story A & P , by John Updike. The main character, Sammy, works in a supermarket in a small town. He has a unique opinion about life and the people in his town. Sammy is unhappy and has a negative attitude, but when three young lady 's walk in the store , in bikinis, his attitude changes. Then in the end Sammy quits the store after the store keeper scolded at the girls for dressing inappropriate at the store. The story connects to the meaning of life and individual needs by representing the store as Sammy 's ideal on how a person should live life. Since the store represents Sammy 's opinion on life, when he quits he steps into his individuality. Stokesie, Lengel, and the customers is a symbol of a negative way to live …show more content…
Before he left, while he was quitting his job, Lengel warned, “You 'll feel this for the rest of your life.” This shows that when Sammy quit and walked out in A & P he stepped into a new life decision. Lengel warning was meant to be a negative thing, but since Sammy is his own individual leaving A & P might be what he needs to live the life he dreams of. Peter Clecak wrote, “ Thus multiple specifications of the meaning and terms of the quest for fulfillment included some mix or other of salvation and a piece of social justice” (12) So when Sammy walks out of A & P he is starting his quest of individuation and life. Leaving the ordinary people that Sammy hated was his form of salvation. Standing up and quitting his job was a form of social justice. So since Sammy has started his journey only time will tell if it is a good or bad