Rebellious to Responsible in John Updikes A&P Essay -- Literacy Analy

The lives we live today encompass many moral aspects that would not have been socially satisfying fifty or more years ago. John Updikes short story, A&P, addresses these issues of societal changes through a 1960s teenager point of view. This teenager, Sammy, spends a great deal of his time working at a topical anaesthetic supermarket, observing customers, and imagining where his life adventures will take him. Through symbolism and setting, Updike establishes the characters and conflicts these, in turn, learn Sammy from an observational, ignorant teenager, promoting opposition to changing social rules, into an adult who must face reality. This short story, first published in 1961, stirs up controversy and inactive continues to be debated today. Although Updike intends for his writing to be simple and enjoyable, he also includes literary and cultural knowledge of the time period for readers to analyze more deeply (Saldivar N. pag.). As with A&P, Updike injects religious faith, whi ch few Non-Catholic writers attempted during this time, in a seemingly effortless way. The supermarket A&P, the main setting of the story, was positioned right in the middle of town (Updike 983) a prime position accessible to all, although, generally this position was reserved for the towns place of worship. In a way, Updike implanted this detail to be ironic. The supermarket in his story represented a temple of modern consumerism and was replacing a temple of worship (Wells N. pag.). To create a story that was relevant to the 1960s, yet still encompasses issues society currently faces, demonstrates Updikes genius ability to engage in the enthralling world around him. The story begins through Sammy, the narrator, working at the local A&P supermarket. He not... ..., 1994. literary productions Resource Center. Web. 15 Apr. 2012.Porter, M. Gilbert. John Updikes A & P The Establishment and an Emersonian Cashier. English Journal 61 (Nov. 1972) 1155-1158. Rpt. in Short Story Criticis m. Ed. Anna J. Sheets. Vol. 27. Detroit Gale Research, 1998. Literature Resource Center. Web. 15 Apr. 2012.Saldivar, Toni. The Art Of John Updikes A & P. Studies In Short Fiction 34.2 (1997) 215. Academic Search Premier. Web. 14 Apr. 2012.Thompson, Corey Evan. Updikes A & P. Explicator 59.4 (2001) 215. Academic Search Premier. Web. 14 Apr. 2012.Updike, John. A&P. Thinking and Writing About Literature. Ed. Michael Meyer. Boston Bedford/St. Martins, 2001. 981-86. Print.Wells, Walter. John Updikes A&P A Return To Araby. Studies In Short Fiction 30.2 (1993) 127. Academic Search Premier. Web. 14 Apr. 2012.