On A&P by John Updike Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

On A&P by John Updike - Essay ExampleAs they glanced through the merchandises, Sammy stargons at them and afterward admires the most attractive and most imposing of the three. He calls her Queenie. When Lengel, the manager of the supermarket, scolds the three girls for being so indecently dressed, Sammy hastily stop his job to show his boss and the girls that he can fight for his principle. Even though the plot is straightforward, the central theme of the narrative is powerful a honor act that represents a useless attempt to defy socioeconomic hierarchy. The social inequality that forms the foundation of the narrative is seen through the point of view of Sammy. The teenage girls are obviously from an upper class because of the aura they exude and their noticeable difference from the other customers in the store. At this point, the issue of social class is highlighted (Kirszner & Mandell 1996, 1512). Sammy describes the other customers in a derogatory way, such as an old party in ba ggy gray pants and house slaves in pin curlers (Kirszner & Mandell 1998, 73). ... Nevertheless, both Sammy and Queenie deliver in ways that are somewhat similar. Both are making an attempt to fit into new realities, with Queenie wanting to experience the life below and Sammy attempt to experience the life above (Searles 26). As Queenie approaches the cashier, Sammy sees, Now her hands are empty, not a ring or a bracelet, and I wonder where the capitals coming from. Still with that prim look she lifts a folded dollar bill out of the hollow at the center of her nubbled pink top (Kirszner & Mandell 1998, 74). through with(predicate) this act, she not merely tries her sexual ability but also goes down to the supermarket class. It is obvious from the story that the supermarket caters to the low class, as shown in the characteristics of most of its customers. Yet Sammy is awake(predicate) of the social and economic gap between him and Queenie (Kirszner & Mandell 17) I slid right down her voice into her living room. Her father and the other men were standing around in ice-cream coats and bow ties and the women were in sandals picking up herring snacks on toothpicks off a big plate and they were all holding drinks the color of water with olives and sprigs of pot in them. When my parents have somebody over they get lemonade and if its a real racy affair Schlitz in tall glasses with Theyll Do It every(prenominal) Time cartoons stencilled on. However, by quitting his job, Sammy defies economic and social boundaries. Even though the decision of Sammy to quit his job is reckless and unwise, it seems that he is making a decisive inverse against what he believes is social prejudice (Searles 29). But not like Queenies boldness, Sammys insubordination and rebelliousness will have lasting outcomes. Sammys