Updike's A&P

I really enjoyed this short story because it nailed the nature of women and the kind of power they have over men (in only some cases). When these girls walk into the A&P every man in the store looks at them. They act as if they don't even know they are being watched and walk calmly around the store. Updike even describes the queen of the girls as "god-made." I also thought this story shed light on the mind of a female, and what made it particularly interesting to read was that it's a male author writing. He so accurately describes that "kind of girl other girls think is very striking and attractive but never quite makes it, as they very well know." This an many other passages reflect exactly what I am thinking sometimes. Lastly, I want to address his thoughts on how people--the public--act. He describes the grocery-goers  as sheep many times. He is implying that we are dumb and mill around like sheep, not really caring or knowing whats going on around us, that is until we see a spectacle. He sets himself apart from the herd by taking action and quitting his job just to prove a point.

In the last section of the story, when the manager is kicking the swim-suit-girls out, he says, "It was they who were embarrassing us." I think the meaning of this line has to do with people's own self images. As a manager of a store, he would want nothing more than to get great business and to be successful. When these girls ruin that for him, he becomes defensive and embarrasses them. His reactions to the situation reflect what most managers would do as well.

And my favorite passage was "and they all three of them went up the cat-and-dog-food-breakfast-cereal-macaroni-ri ce-raisins-seasonings-spreads-spaghetti-soft drinks- rackers-and- cookies aisle." This is exactly how I feel in a grocery store. 

-s.sacks