Just recently, I was forced to read it once more for my current English class. My professer requires us to write in a "journal" in response to the literature we read. I was highly amused by what I happened to pen, and my friend agreed, so I felt the need to share it here.
(By the way, if you haven't read the story, you might wanna take a quick peek at it or else you won't understand what I'm writing about. It's short, probably about three pages long, so if you're interested, I included the link above.)
Question: Why, exactly, does Sammy quit his job?
Response:
Sammy quits his job because he hopes the girls will hear his bold move and be impressed. They don't, though, and walk straight out of the store without a glance in his direction. After he made his spur-of-the-moment decision, though, he apparently felt the need to follow through with his decision, probably for one of a few reasons. One, he might have been a stubborn, teenage boy, and therefore couldn't make an empty threat like that, or else no one would take him seriously. Two, perhaps he felt that the girls might have heard him, and what would happen if they walked in a few days later and still saw him working there? No way would he look all big and strong then, and he could forget ever getting a date with Miss Vanilla Ice Cream Scoops Queenie, let along Miss Chunky White Crescents or Miss Tall Frizzy Hair. And then those girls would tell all their bikini-clad friends, and he would grow up as an old, perverted man, forever working at the A&P without a bikini-clad wife to welcome him home every night from ringing up Fancy Herring Snacks in Pure Sour Cream for 49 cents all day.
I was forced to read this story in high school as well, and I don't like it anymore than I did then. As far as I'm concerned, John Updike's literature is overrated. From what I have heard, and even read, a lot of his literature deals with sex and while that is a huge part of our society, I do not appreciate the way he talks about women at times. For example, in A&P, he says, "You never know for sure how girls' minds work (do you really think it's a mind in there or just a little buzz like a bee in a glass jar?) ...." I didn't appreciate that at all. Sammy/Updike shouldn't even be speaking! He can't even concentrate on ringing up the items in fromt of him. Many times, at my own job, I have rung up items while talking to a customer and grabbing one of those big bags from under the counter. If it's anyone who doesn't have a brain, it's Sammy/Updike, because apparently he can't multi-task or even keep his eyes off a few girls for the moment that he's dealing with the customer.
I never understood what made great literature. In my opinion, everyone has a different idea of "good" literature. Then again, due to the lack of enthusiasm to read in our society today, most people (especially college kids and younger) would prefer to watch TV or do other such activities as opposed to picking up a book. And even if they did choose a book, no doubt it would be a picture book.
Despite the fact I may often be left out in conversations among friends and acquaintances, I'm glad I'm not melting my brain with the mindless shows on TV. Not only that, but I rejoice when I find people that read as well, since it's such a rarity today.
It's sad how downhill our society is going.
2 comments:
I'd love to see you re-write the story from a young women's point of view.
I mean I'm just curious how your story would differ from Updikes. What details would be emphasized? What would be sexy (or catch your character's interest) about half-dressed boys or girls entering the store? Would the focal point be something completely different? Would your character quit or stay? Why? Would your character be more humorous? Or would s/he make a political statement?
I don't expect you to answer these questions, but I've given it some thought and the story could be different in so many ways. Maybe even better.
I do know that when I was a cashier, I hated the the monotony, the so-called power of the manager, the boring environment and absolutely loved it when someone came in that caught my eye or made the day more interesting.
Unfortunately, I don't think my version would differ much from Updikes, especially if I was a 19 year old young boy.
The story isn't great. But I can relate.
By the way, I thought your response to why Sammy quit his job was pretty funny.
I don't think you're too far off.
Post a Comment