Explain the symbols and metaphors of "A&P" by John Updike (Essay Sample)

Name Tutor Course Date Explain the symbols and metaphors of the story "A&P" by John Updike The story "A&P" by John Updike uses metaphors and symbols to communicate the message. The story is about three Bikini girls who walk into Sammy supermarket. The girls attract the gaze of every man in the store. Sammy doubts the girls for regular customers. The story uses symbolism in many ways (Updike 765). First, the story symbolizes the misunderstanding of the older generation about the youth. Also, the negativity about the young generation. It is evident that Sammy eyes the three bikini-clad girls walking into his supermarket. Despite being the manager, he looks them suspiciously. The look interrupts his reverie by "witch" whose "feathers" Sammy has to charm (Updike 760). The Sammy misconception is that customers are easy to understand. Furthermore, Sammy thinks that the women are witch making their day trip to him “I know it made her day to trip me up.” (Johnson 656). Furthermore, they view the youth as a threat to their power. The girls know that they are in a position of power so long as they do not acknowledge the men’s interest. The Lengel feels the threat and devises a strategy to lessen their power. Lengel confronts the girls bluntly. He quickly says that they know the motive of their inappropriate attire. The Queenie’s claims that “We are decent” (Updike 770). The Queenie’s response is an attempt to reestablish their power and show that Lengel did wrong to confront them. The Lengel symbolizes that the adults that have less concern for the youthful ambition (Fleischauer 277). Secondly, the Kingfish Fancy Herring Snacks that Queenie buys is symbolic in Sammy’s eyes about social class. Sammy heard her explain that they are for her mother. From his experience, they are to be served at parties of higher social class, the world away from him. Additionally, the shopping list had a combination of white jackets, sophisticated cocktails, Schlitz beer (a working-class brew), and novelty glasses humbles Sammy superiority status. His perspective was that “the crowd that runs the A&P must look pretty crummy (Updike 770).” Sammy feels being in social constraints and quits his job. The act is an attempt to impress Queenie and sign of self-liberation. It is clear that Queenie behavior symbolizes the alluring nature of women and life. Despite being a pleasant life, it is unattainable to Sammy. Thirdly, the clothes that the girls wear in the story symbolizes the youth casual disregard to the social rules of the town. It is an intention to provoke and attract every man in the town. The Sammy is drawn to the girls due to their scant attire and being young. However, he conceptualizes the freedom and escapes from the alluring world. The girls completely disrupt a well-known system of rules of moral conduct. It is evident that Lengel, who is the authority figure, underscores the attire and he quickly confronts them. His motive is to show them that they have broken rules of behavior (Fleischauer 277). Lastly, the supermarket symbolizes the consumer culture. The culture has a different hierarchy: "Witches" by bland "HiHo" crackers while Queenie buys "Fancy Herring Snacks" (Updike 769). The girls stocks their shopping with sophisticated cocktails, Schlitz beer, and novelty glasses. The shopping list is symbolic of youth consumption preference. It also indicates consumption patterns among people of different social status. The girls seem to come from a high social class background. The clothing attires are also expensive (Johnson 657). Additionally, the story uses metaphors. First, the girls “attracts the gaze” (Updike 760) of all men in the supermarket. It is a demonstration of the power of attraction to opposite sex. They make a point of “acting nonchalant” (Updike 763). Nonchalant is the notion of being successful than the other two. The girls are in an inspiring desire to power. The girl’s strategy works well. It is evident that even Lengel, the elder, shown his sexual interest (Fleischauer 277). Secon...