A & P Group

Question:

racinbitch637
racinbitch637
Student
College - Freshman

In the story "A & P" by John Updike, why did the girls impress Sammie so much?

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Posted by racinbitch637 on Thursday July 30, 2009 at 11:09 AM and tagged with character analysis, girls, impress, literature, sammie.

Answers:

  1. mwestwood
    mwestwood Teacher
    Community / Jr. College

    eNotes Editor

    With Rebellion as a theme in Updike's "A&P," Sammie perceives the girls as mavericks who refuse to conform to the rules of dress in the store.  Enamored of Queenie, especially, Sammie reflects upon the other women who enter the store in unsightly curlers and shorts exposing their spider veins and concludes that although the girls are in swim attire, they look better than the "sheep" who are clothed; thus, to Sammie they should not be harrassed or penalized.

    Sammie's consequent action of rebellion in quitting his job has more serious repercussions because he now has real problems:  He has no job and must explain to his family why he has walked out of the A & P.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/and-pa

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    Posted by mwestwood on Thursday July 30, 2009 at 11:48 AM