A&P

In John Updike's story A & P, he presents us with a variety of different themes and ideas as to how the main character, Sammy, feels. He begins the story by describing the place of employment that he works at. Sammy works at the A&P store which is located near a beach. The story centralizes around disappointment.

It is Summer and instead of being at the beach with his friends Sammy is stuck working. In addition to his requirement of holding a summer job, more disappointment is about to appear in his life. Three beautiful girls walk into his store seemingly having just been at the beach. Sammy even dubs one of the girls, "Queenie," because of how beautiful he thinks she is. Unfortunately for him and he knows it, he has to work.

After a confrontation between the manager and the girls in regards to their attire, Sammy decides to quit his job against the managers and his parents will. It seems that he does this as a way to impress the girls but unfortunately as he leaves the store they are already gone.

John Updike begins and ends this story around Sammy's disappointment. He is saddened by the fact that he is working over the summer, in addition he was disappointed once again when he thought he was actually going to make a right decision and impress the girls, only to discover that once agains he only disappointed himself by leaving him unemployed.

Submitted by John Baratta