Literature Essay on the Use of Symbols by John Updike

A&P is a short story by John Updike, set in a small grocery store in small New England. The story takes a liberal perspective on the advancement of culture versus the inevitable death of tradition. Sammy, a store attendant and the protagonist of the story are taken by the entrance of three teenage girls (Updike and Delessert 1). The girls are dressed in bathing suits, which is, of course, is taken as a taboo in the eyes of society. While the appeal of the fairer sex is apparent to a lot of the other attendants, his focus is the apparent disregard for tradition and the social culture of a small town. Their attempt to provoke society is done without realization; the girls are simply trying to get some errands done (Updike and Delessert 1). Still, their approach towards life sparks something in Sammy. Updike makes use of several symbols in the story that makes for a deeper understanding of the conflict brewing within Sammy (Sosa et al. 93-132).

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Bathing suits are the first symbol that the author uses to analyze the undermining of tradition by the three teenagers. Contrary to the culture of a small town the girls wear clothes that seem to excite sexual anxiety in men. As teenage girls, they are considered children and therefore should not be dressed in such clothes in the first instance. More than that, these girls walk into a grocery store in a manner that is considered morally wrong (Van Cleave 4-15). Sammy, the protagonist of the story, notices this in the girls and that they seem not to think too much of how they are dressed, their social responsibility as a member of the community or even the social context in which they are dressed in bathing suits. This attitude towards life ignites a moment of reflection in Sammy.

On the other hand of the social spectrum, the store manager, Lengel is upset at the choice of clothes of the girls. They seem not to care about the social structure of small New England. In addition to this, they are not even respectful to themselves of the place of work of Lengel. He, therefore, addresses the situation in the traditional manner that is familiar to him. He scolds the girls stating the store policy and social responsibility. He is very upset that girls of such an age should come into a place of business dressed raunchily. He shuns their behaviors openly making them feel embarrassed (Van Cleave 4-15). This embarrassment causes them to leave the store in a shameful manner and no less having not bought anything.

The second symbol that the author uses to advance the understanding of his themes is the Kingfish Fancy Herring Snacks. The purchase that one of the girls makes, Queenie, also inspires some lingering thought in Sammy. She hears her say that the snack is for her mother, a statement that immediately sends Sammy into an imaginative perception of the social circle from which Queenie stems. The purchase no doubt must be a part her parents are hosting and judging by the entire ambiance that the girls present, they must be from a well off family. Her dressing and choice of purchase is a reflection of where she comes and this realization both elevates and humbles the thoughts of Sammy.

Sammy imagines a party where Queenies parents, are dressed in classy and expensive clothes, debating matters of a political nature. He imagines them dining fine wines and enjoying sophisticated cocktails all the while merry-making. While such a life is so distant to Sammy, the entire ordeal only makes him appreciate the freedom with which Queenie gets from the life. He envies her but just enough to inspire him to make a comparison between himself and the three girls. His parent's parties are not anywhere as sophisticated the girls. He then comes to the realization that his life will end up just as his parents should he follow a similar path.

The two symbols advance, the plot and different themes that the author discusses in the short story. For instance, the theme of the Power of Desire is evident from the entry of the girls into the store. All the attendants are keen to note their entrance and are excited by their very presence. They have a competing desire to help them in any way they can (Updike and Delessert 4). The evidence of this is at the moment just before Queenie calls Sammy to help her on a herring related issue. The power of desire is advanced in this part of the story by the provocative dressing of the three girls.

In the end, Sammy quits his job in protest of the constraints of his life and the job in the store. He desires to lead a life free from the constraints of society and the status quo circulating the social circles of the town. He too wants to be part of the classy party, advancing culture and discussing sophisticated issues. He leaves the store, feeling liberated from the confines of his past life. Upon complete exit of the store, he finds himself alone (Updike and Delessert 5). The girls are long gone, and all that is left is the future.

Work Cited

Sosa, Teresa et al. "Developing Symbolic Interpretation Through Literary Argumentation". Journal of the Learning Sciences 25.1 (2015): 93-132. Web. 7 Feb. 2017.

Updike, John and Etienne Delessert. A & P. 1st ed. Minneapolis, Minn.: Redpath Press, 1986. Print.

Van Cleave, Kendra. "Fashioning The College Woman: Dress, Gender, And Sexuality At Smith College In The 1920S". The Journal of American Culture 32.1 (2009): 4-15. Web. 7 Feb. 2017.