Rebellion In John Updike's A & P

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In “A&P” by John Updike, one can see a strong sense of rebellion against the

“establishment”, the reference to sheep and the Kingfish Fancy Herring Snacks in Pure Sour

Cream as symbols to conformity and the desire for freedom, and how the short

story’s ending is sad due to Sam’s actions.

The girls’ immodesty strongly reveals the rebellion against the “establishment”. As Sammy

acknowledges in the short story, the story takes place “north of Boston” (Updike). The

estimated time period is the 1960s. At this time, most of the younger generation longed for

change, which became the “hippie” movement, while the older generation still embraced

tradition. The “establishment” in “A&P” is the traditional society. In the short story, …show more content…
In Sammy’s mind, these conformed people follow the traditional crowd, living

the same way they have always lived. One of the girls, who Sammy dubs as “Queenie”, buys

Kingfish Fancy Herring Snacks in Pure Sour Cream. As she makes the purchase, Sammy

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imagines the type of a party Queenie’s parents will have and the stark differences between

his parent’s party and hers. He pictures her parent’s parties as “hippie” ones while his parent’s

as the dull, “traditional” ones. Sammy jealously longs for Queenie’s freedom. The Kingfish

Fancy Herring Snacks in Pure Sour Cream represents the freedom Sammy envies.

The short story’s ending is sad because of the result of Sammy’s actions. In “A&P”,

as the three girls leave the store, Sammy quits his job in hopes of being the “hero” in

Queenie’s eyes. He longs for change and admires Queenie for her rebellion against society.

Sammy believes Queenie will see his quitting as a sign of admiration for her rebellion.

However, Queenie leaves without seeing Sammy officially quit his job. Scurrying out of the

store, Sammy realizes he missed the girls and regret weighs him. It is sad how controlled by

the moment Sammy even to the point of a changed, regretful

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