In "A&P" by John Updike, he uses imagery, setting, and symbolism to address the consequences of Sammy 's choices. Updike bases his short story A&P in a small town located in New England. The focus is a 19 year boy named Sammy and his coming of age, he goes from innocent and ignorance to mature and wise in just a few minutes. In the beginning of the story Sammy focuses on the physical appearance of the three girls that comes in A&P but by the end of the story he has matured and not only looks at their physical appearance but also at how they interact with each other and the customers. He begins to accept that the girls are different and unique in how they don’t have a set routine like everyone else. He respects them and he doesn’t want to discourage
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For example when Updike describes the three girls that walk into the store and how they catch Sammy’s eye but one in particular, “Queenie” as Sammy names her, more than the others. The way Updike goes in detail to make sure we know what Sammy is seeing when he looks at this girl and how this girl is dressed to everyone else. He goes from describing what her bathing suit looks like hanging on her body, the color, the size, and even the way her hands feel. Updike makes us feel as if we are a cashier in A&P and we are watching Queenie prance around the store in her bathing suit. Also by Updike’s describing we can get a feel for what time of person Queenie is and what Sammy potential sees in …show more content…
Updike uses symbolism to make the audience crave the same desire that Sammy does, to make us go against the flow of everything and to be like the young girls and be different. So by Updike having Sammy make the decision to quit his job to potential better himself, also left him with consequences of not having a job and no money coming in. The audience needs to make their own decisions and decide on what they believe because no one can tell you what to stand up for. Also Updike makes it clear that we must think about our decisions ahead of time because the long road of adulthood can either make you or break you. That no one can make a life alternating decision for you because only you know your desires, wants, and needs in
For example when Updike describes the three girls that walk into the store and how they catch Sammy’s eye but one in particular, “Queenie” as Sammy names her, more than the others. The way Updike goes in detail to make sure we know what Sammy is seeing when he looks at this girl and how this girl is dressed to everyone else. He goes from describing what her bathing suit looks like hanging on her body, the color, the size, and even the way her hands feel. Updike makes us feel as if we are a cashier in A&P and we are watching Queenie prance around the store in her bathing suit. Also by Updike’s describing we can get a feel for what time of person Queenie is and what Sammy potential sees in …show more content…
Updike uses symbolism to make the audience crave the same desire that Sammy does, to make us go against the flow of everything and to be like the young girls and be different. So by Updike having Sammy make the decision to quit his job to potential better himself, also left him with consequences of not having a job and no money coming in. The audience needs to make their own decisions and decide on what they believe because no one can tell you what to stand up for. Also Updike makes it clear that we must think about our decisions ahead of time because the long road of adulthood can either make you or break you. That no one can make a life alternating decision for you because only you know your desires, wants, and needs in