What Made The Classic "A & P" by John Updike Controversial Back Then Is Still Relevant Now | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

What Made The Classic "A & P" by John Updike Controversial Back Then Is Still Relevant Now

A fresh analysis of a classic short story that tackles a hot topic

541
What Made The Classic "A & P" by John Updike Controversial Back Then Is Still Relevant Now
Flickr

"A & P," a short story written by John Updike, was published by The New Yorker in 1961. The story is considered to be a classic and is taught in universities throughout the United States.

Plot

The narrator of the story, Sammy, is a cashier at an A & P just north of Boston. Though it is close to the beach, it is far enough away that "women generally put on a shirt or shorts or something before they get out of the car into the street. " When three girls around Sammy's age walk into the mart, it attracts his, and everyone else's attention.

The girls go about the store looking for one thing, in particular, Fancy Herring Snacks. The girls approach Sammy's checkout aisle as his Manager, Lengel enters the mart and notices what the girls are wearing. Lengel creates a scene and lets the girls know that in the future they will have to comply with the store's policy and cover their shoulders.

After this, Sammy quits. He quits partially to impress the girls and partially because he thinks Lengel took things too far. As he walks out, freshly unemployed, the girls are nowhere in sight. At this moment his "stomach kind of fell as I felt how hard the world was going to be to me hereafter."

Controversial Elements

The story is layered with sexist thoughts and actions. Both from Sammy and his coworkers. Many people find this story to be extremely grotesque because of the way Sammy talks about the girls. From the start, he assumes the girls enter the store in bikinis because they are seeking attention for their physical appearances.

He goes on to describe pretty much every aspect of the three and doesn't feel the need to leave out how the first girl has "a good tan and a sweet broad soft-looking can with those two crescents of white just under it." The story progresses and Sammy even goes as far as saying, "You never know for sure how girls' minds work (do you really think it's a mind in there or just a little buzz like a bee in a glass jar?)."

Craft

The story is told from the first person point of view and in present tense as if the story is unfolding before us. Sammy's overall voice in the story is colloquial. He starts the story off by saying, "In walks these three girls in nothing but bathing suits." There is a direct misuse of language by Updike. The narrator also discusses the idea of the shoppers being "sheep." Sammy is attracted to the girls, partly based on their appearance, but also because of the way they are going against the grain.

Sammy resists the idea of being a sheep just as the girls are resisting the policy to wear clothes in the store. This idea of resisting excites Sammy so much to the point where he decides to quit his job. The difference between Sammy's rebellion and the three girls' is their class rank. It will be much harder for Sammy to resist being a sheep than it will be for the three girls. He realizes this as he looks back to see Lengel slaving away and looks around to find none of the girls have stayed behind to show their admiration.

Interested in reading the full story?

Follow this Link: http://www.tiger-town.com/whatnot/updike/

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

73810
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

5694
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

8933
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments