John Updike’s A&P opens with the narrator, Sammy, noticing three girls in swimsuits shopping in the grocery store he works at. Sammy is obviously distracted by this sight, as proven when he accidentally rings up a customer’s product twice. Most of Sammy’s narration involves detailed descriptions of the girls, only breaking to describe “the sheep pushing their carts down the aisle” (Updike) and the town he lives in. After he and a substantial amount of other characters ogle at the girls, Sammy’s manager, Lengel, notices the three girls. Lengel scolds the girls for their attire, reminding them that they are not at the beach, stating they are indecently dressed (Updike). The girls, embarrassed, quickly leave after paying for their “Kingfish
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While he chides the three girls for their attire, the “sheep, seeing a scene” (Updike), piled into the other cashier’s line, silently watching the events unfold. The girls, exhibiting a false consciousness, hurry out of the store, ultimately leading into Sammy’s conflict with Lengel. Unnerved that Lengel had embarrassed the girls Sammy quits his job, ultimately renouncing the base being set. Although Sammy makes this clear to his bourgeoisie manager, Lengel still believes “it was they who were embarrassing us” (Updike). Lengel cautions Sammy of the implications of his rebellion, stating “I don’t think you know what you’re saying” (Updike) and reminding him of his parents. Essential to the narrative is the commodification Sammy points out. From the beginning, Sammy is holding “HiHo crackers” (Updike) for the customer he refers to as a witch. Soon enough, the girls are “behind a pyramid of Diet Delight peaches” (Updike). While Queenie’s parents have Kingfish Fancy Herring Snacks in Pure Sour Cream for special occasions, Sammy’s has “Schlitz in tall glasses with ‘They’ll Do It Every Time’ cartoons” (Updike). Sammy’s specifications on brand names displays the socioeconomic system of capitalism and the importance placed upon owning certain brands of
While he chides the three girls for their attire, the “sheep, seeing a scene” (Updike), piled into the other cashier’s line, silently watching the events unfold. The girls, exhibiting a false consciousness, hurry out of the store, ultimately leading into Sammy’s conflict with Lengel. Unnerved that Lengel had embarrassed the girls Sammy quits his job, ultimately renouncing the base being set. Although Sammy makes this clear to his bourgeoisie manager, Lengel still believes “it was they who were embarrassing us” (Updike). Lengel cautions Sammy of the implications of his rebellion, stating “I don’t think you know what you’re saying” (Updike) and reminding him of his parents. Essential to the narrative is the commodification Sammy points out. From the beginning, Sammy is holding “HiHo crackers” (Updike) for the customer he refers to as a witch. Soon enough, the girls are “behind a pyramid of Diet Delight peaches” (Updike). While Queenie’s parents have Kingfish Fancy Herring Snacks in Pure Sour Cream for special occasions, Sammy’s has “Schlitz in tall glasses with ‘They’ll Do It Every Time’ cartoons” (Updike). Sammy’s specifications on brand names displays the socioeconomic system of capitalism and the importance placed upon owning certain brands of