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Analysis of A&P by John Updike

             John Updike's A & P is a vivid portrayal of the perils of growing up as seen through the eyes of a young grocery store clerk. It is a story of a young man named Sammy's journey from being an adolescent with no real grasp of the real world to a young man preparing for the lifelong journey. Updike uses vivid verbal imagery to give the reader a clear image of every element of the story.
             In the beginning of the story, Sammy seems to be a typical immature nineteen year old, which seems to have no grasp on real life. He is very distracted by three young girls in swimming suits who have come into the grocery store. Sammy's attention shifts to one girl in particular. As Sammy watches the girls wander about the store he is very intrigued by their every move. When the girls prepare to check out, Sammy's manager Lengel informs the girls that they are improperly dressed and embarrasses the girls in front of everyone in the store. Lengel's actions infuriate Sammy and he quits his job. Sammy must then face the real world.
             In this story Updike uses vivid verbal imagery to give a clear image of every element of the story. Updike's description of the three girls gives such a clear image that they are easily pictured in the mind. He describes every aspect of the girls from the way they walk into the store, their physical appearances, and their attitudes when they are wondering in the store. More .
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             attention is brought to the girl that has caught Sammy's eye; Updike describes the girl's bathing suit in vivid detail as well as her physical features. Updike's descriptions of the girls give the reader the ability to clearly visualize each girl and their actions. .
             In the story Updike also uses the element of conflict between Sammy and Lengel. The conflict erupts when Lengel embarrasses the girls that Sammy had been admiring. Sammy who wanted to appear as a hero to the girls quits his job because of Lengel's actions.


Essays Related to Analysis of A&P by John Updike

1. Critical Analysis of John Updike's A&P

In "A&P", the author John Updike utilizes various writing elements to convey a message and invite his readers to contemplate thought-provoking social ideas. ... "A&P" by John Updike is a short story of a 19 year old young man named Sammy who works in a grocery store in small-town America. ... The fluorescent light is as blandly cool as the "checkerboard green-and-cream rubber tile floor" (Updike p.88). He goes on to say "everything is neatly organized and categorized in tidy aisles" (Updike p.88). When discussing the customers in the A&P Sammy says "...

  • Word Count: 1193
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

2. Character Analysis - A&P by John Updike

In John Updike's short story, "A&P ", includes Sammy, the protagonists, Lengel, the store manager, three girls, who walk into the store wearing only bathing suits, and the local people who are as well shopping through the grocery store. ... John Updike's "A&P"" expresses an artful beginning through his deep description of the three girls in their bathing suits when they first walk into the store. ... I mean, it was more than pretty" (Updike). ... Walking into the A&P with your straps down, I suppose it's the only kind if face you can have. ... Really, I thought that was so cute...

  • Word Count: 2200
  • Approx Pages: 9
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

3. Short Story Analysis - A&P

Short Story Analysis 1 The short story titled "A & P" by John Updike can be broken down into a number of components which include; characters, setting, and the plot. ... Updike paints a picture for the reader throughout the story to make the reader feel as if they were there. ... Three girls, described well by Updike, walk into the store and change Sammy's life. ... John Updike does a wonderful job of conveying this message to the reader, using great detail of the events that occurred. ...

  • Word Count: 388
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: High School

4. A & P Updike

The A&P Chameleon In John Updike's "A&P", the main character Sammy, is developed through the use of setting. ... When Lengel mentions that the policy of the A&P is to have one's shoulders covered while shopping, Sammy notes "Policy is what the kingpins want. ... Finally, Sammy's character is revealed through his analysis of the young girls visiting the shop. ... They are attractive young girls that he would rather be spending his time with than working at the A&P. ... As Updike uses the characters to build the setting, Sammy begins to respond to their behaviors. ...

  • Word Count: 940
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: High School

5. A&P

In John Updike's "A&P," Sammy a nineteen year old checker at a local grocery store meets three bathing beauties who inadvertently end up affecting his entire life. ... Updike suggests that adolescence is an impulsive age as well as a rite of passage into adult hood. ... Updike allows Sammy, the main character, to narrate, giving the reader insight to his personality and background. ... Updike's sexual descriptions allude to the thoughts of adolescent boys of this age group. ... Sammy indicates he is bored with his humdrum surroundings of the A&P. ...

  • Word Count: 1283
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

6. A&P - Literary Analysis

One can argue that in the short story, A&P, John Updike uses foreshadowing to hint towards the fact that it's expected for Sammy, the main character or protagonist, to quit his job by the end of the story. ... Updike is descriptive to portray an image to the reader of how Sammy sees these girls when they first walk in, and how he is dealing with the customer he seems to hate. ... Another example of this is when Updike writes, "The sheep pushing their carts down the aisle [] were pretty hilarious.... For example, "I bet you could set off dynamite in an A&P and the people would b...

  • Word Count: 590
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: High School

7. The Store

Updike's "A & P" tells the story of a checkout boy, Sammy, who quits his job after his boss Mr. ... For example, Updike notes that as soon as the three girls appear in the A & P, the "sheep" -- Sammy's word for the run-of-the-mill customers who plod through the store, pushing their shopping carts, following their prescribed routes -- react to their presence with amazement; "You could see them, when Queenie's white shoulders dawned on them, kind of jerk, or hop, or hiccup, but their eyes snapped back to their own baskets and on they pushed." ... Lengel warns him that "You"ll fee...

  • Word Count: 1947
  • Approx Pages: 8
  • Grade Level: High School

8. Onomatopeia

A clear understanding of the word onomatopoeia can be achieved through an analysis of its formal, informal, and historical definitions. ... For example, in the story, A & P written by John Updike, the narrator explains the process that he has become accustomed to with the cash register by using the words, "bing...gung...splat.aE Another literary example is shown in Browning"s Meeting at Night, where it says "A tap at the pane, the quick sharp scratch,aE and "And blue spurt of a lighted match...aE (Abrahams).In addition to using examples from literature, onomatopoeia is used...

  • Word Count: 1097
  • Approx Pages: 4

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