Summary Of John Updike's A & P

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In John Updike’s short story “A&P,” the main character, Sammy, becomes entwined in a conflict with himself that eventually results in his coming of age. Sammy is a young, immature, and inexperienced man of 19 who’s vocation is a cashier at the local A&P. Over the course of the story, Sammy faces a decision: he can either remain at the A&P and become like Stokesie, or he can race after Queenie in an attempt to join her unbridled world. When Sammy first beholds Queenie and her friends, he is amazed at their boldness for donning so little and admires their willingness to do so. Furthermore, the girls embody what Sammy wants to be: free, independent, and full of ambition. However, he is trapped in the A&P with individuals he assesses as unambitious like Stokesie. …show more content…
Updike writes, “Stokesie’s married, with two babies chalked up on his fuselage already, but as far as I could tell that’s the only difference…I forgot to say he thinks he’s going to be manager some sunny day, maybe in 1990 when it’s called the Great Alexandrov and Petrooshki Tea Company or something” (165). Stokesie’s life goal is to become the manager of the A&P which appalls Sammy. He wants to amount to more than the A&P, and unlike Stokesie he is capable of making a rash decision to alter his life path. On the other hand, he knows that this job is important for his mom, dad, and financial stability. With all this in mind, Sammy resolves his inner conflict by irrationally deciding to quit his job and follow the girls to freedom. Furthermore, the resolution of Sammy’s inner conflict marks his coming of
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