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

The lives we live today encompass many an(prenominal) moral aspects that would not have been socially acceptable fifty or more years ago. stern Updikes short story, A&P, addresses these issues of social changes through a 1960s teenager point of view. This teenager, Sammy, spends a huge deal of his time working at a local 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, arise Sammy from an observational, ignorant teenager, promoting opposition to changing social rules, into an adult who must example reality. This short story, first published in 1961, stirs up controversy and mute 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 deep (Saldivar N. pag.). As with A&P, Updike injects religious faith, wh ich 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, more often than not 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 micturate a story that was relevant to the 1960s, yet still encompasses issues society soon faces, demonstrates Updikes genius ability to engage in the enthralling orb around him. The story begins through Sammy, the narrator, working at the local A&P supermarket. He not... ..., 1994. lit Resource Center. Web. 15 Apr. 2012.Porter, M. Gilbert. John Updikes A & P The initiation and an Emersonian Cashier. English Journal 61 (Nov. 1972) 1155-1158. Rpt. in on the spur of the moment St ory Criticism. 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. donnish appear 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.