Sammy, the first person narrator, plays an essential role in portraying an in depth viewpoint of the story. Thus, Sammy tells us that he lives with his parents and that he disapproves of the supermarket?s customers. He labels them clueless, ignorant, and lost when he refers to them as, ? The sheep pushing their carts down the aisle?.? He also tells the reader how three teenage girls attract much attention to them when they walk in with nothing but bathing suits on. He goes into depth on each of their physical features, such as their bikinis and body shapes. Furthermore, he tells us their actions, attitudes, and gestures. In using first person narration, Sammy is able to present

Symbolism plays an intricate part in bringing meaning to the short story. In ?A&P? making sense of the symbolism was obscure because of the intricacy of Sammy?s personality. Sammy detested his antagonist, his job, and felt no pride in his work, however he used it as means to please his parents who he lived with. In result the three girls represented happiness and a life that appealed to the eye of Sammy. Sammy envied Queenie?s personality and symbolized what he wanted to be, a leader. He wanted purpose and meaning to his life instead of living with his parents. His need for life outside of the A&P is essential.

The setting in ?A&P?, gives good reason for why the characters acted in certain ways and why they were dressed in particular ways. Also, the various physical characteristics of the setting affected the atmosphere and mood of the story as a whole. The small grocery store five miles from the beach give explanation for why the girls were dressed the way they were, and also why they found no fault in walking in a grocery store wearing only bikinis. Furthermore, the geographical setting of a big summer colony of older tourists gives reason why ?the sheep? acted the way they did. In the text it explains that ? there was no doubt, this jiggled them. A few house slaves in

Some topics in this essay:
John Updike, Sammy Sammy, A&P Sammy, , grocery store, Hancourt College, short story, geographical setting, person narration, story a&p, motivation geographical setting, geographical setting symbolism, person narration characterization, narration characterization motivation, setting symbolism, characterization motivation, narration characterization, motivation geographical, characterization motivation geographical, pushing carts,