Lust In John Updike's A & P
Lust Written through young and lustful eyes, the story “A&P” by John Updike shows Sammy, a cashier at A&P, getting highly distracted by 3 beautiful women walking around in swimsuits. He was desperate for their attention. Shortly after Sammy witness the 3 ladies being beleaguered by his store manager for the baring of skin and exposing clothing that they were wearing. Sammy being a young and lustful man didn't see a problem with this as he loved looking at the women; this caused Sammy to be internally troubled and quickly stood up for the women to try and impress them. After they left the store he quit his job with a single impulsive decision in a so called act of “heroism.” He then went out looking for the girls to try and get some recognition, however, the girls sped off in
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The time period and location plays a huge role in the story due to the fact that back in those days people tended to be more conservative when it came to clothing especially in small towns where reputations could easily be destroyed. Also because they were 5 miles from the beach it was uncommon to see girls in bathing suits therefore frowned upon. “But this is not the beach… We want you decently dressed when you come in here” is what Mr.Lengel said to them to shame and belittle the girls.
Going based on his instinct Sammy believed that he could get with the girls. He thinks he could get with them because in the story it states “I look around for my girls, but they’re gone, of course.” This shows him saying “my girls” as if they are objects and he is the owner. But the pure fact that the girls didn't even bother to acknowledge him when he defended them at the store or wait for him outside is enough to infer that they were nowhere near interested in him nor did he have a chance with any of
The time period and location plays a huge role in the story due to the fact that back in those days people tended to be more conservative when it came to clothing especially in small towns where reputations could easily be destroyed. Also because they were 5 miles from the beach it was uncommon to see girls in bathing suits therefore frowned upon. “But this is not the beach… We want you decently dressed when you come in here” is what Mr.Lengel said to them to shame and belittle the girls.
Going based on his instinct Sammy believed that he could get with the girls. He thinks he could get with them because in the story it states “I look around for my girls, but they’re gone, of course.” This shows him saying “my girls” as if they are objects and he is the owner. But the pure fact that the girls didn't even bother to acknowledge him when he defended them at the store or wait for him outside is enough to infer that they were nowhere near interested in him nor did he have a chance with any of