"A&P" by John Updike Analysis
A&P is a short story written by John Updike that targets American citizens who were living in the 1950s and 1960s. Readers are introduced to the main character, Sammy, who is a 19 year old cashier at the A&P grocery store. Sammy is a normal, relatable teenager who has his own opinions about his job, customers, and life. He introduces three customers who catch his eye, Queenie, Plaid, and Big Tall Goony-Goony. Sammy vividly describes their appearances, stating for one of the girls, "There was this chunky one, with the two-piece-it was bright green and the seams on the bra were still sharp..." (Updike 161). Based off of this quote from the text, the three girls walk into the grocery store wearing nothing but bathing suits, which influences the main conflict of the story. Readers are able to sympathize with Sammy because he is a middle-class teenager who works a mundane job. When the main conflict occurs, the manager (Lengel) tells the three girls they have to dress mo...