Looking for a Reason
Is where you are in your working career where you want to be for the rest of your
life? The answer to that question is simple for Sammy in the story “A&P” by John
Updike. Sammy, like many others in this world, is a young man trying to make some
money in a small town. But unlike some, he refuses to be stuck in the same job for
many years or possibly the rest of his life.
One day while working the register at a local grocery store, Sammy notices three
girls walk in. The girls are wearing their bathing suits because the beach is close to the
store. When the girls reach the register the manager notices the girls attire. He walks
over to them and argues with them for a moment and then girls leave. Sammy didn’t
understand why the manager had such a problem with what the girls were wearing.
Suddenly Sammy decides to quit. He takes off his apron and walks out the door.
One of the things that caught my attention the most was Updike’s use of
imagery in describing Sammy’s working environment. “The sheep pushing their carts
down the aisle-”(34), I thought, was an excellent representation of customers grocery
shopping. I could almost see them pushing their carts around the store shopping for
things. It seems to me that the customers are like sheep because they don’t really care
about what is going on around them. They just want to get their things and go on about
their business. Another good example is when Sammy is looking at the girls while they
are standing in his aisle. He refers to one of the girl’s chest as “two scoops of
vanilla”(36). I think this is an important point because he doesn’t refer to an older
woman, who was standing in line before the girls, in such a manner. This shows a male
point of view that helps the reader understand how Sammy feels and what is going
through his mind during the story.
I think the girls helped give Sammy a reason to quit the grocery store. On one
hand, Sammy quit for the girls. He saw how they were treated by the manager and
thought he would be the hero by quitting to get back at him. And even though he knew
the girls wouldn’t be waiting on him out side the store, he quit none the less. Because
on the other hand, he didn’t want to end up like the manager when he got older.
I was looking for a reason to quit a job once. I didn’t quit because I thought I was
going to be working there for the rest of my life, but because I didn’t like working there
anymore. I decided to not go in one day and when the manager called I said I had a
science project to do. When she asked if I was going to come in ever again I said no.
That was a long time ago and I would never quit a job in that way again. I was young
then and I basically was just tired of working there.
Sammy’s future is unknown. The question of weather he quit because he thought
he would be the girls knight in shining armor, or the fear that he would be stuck in a
dead-end job the rest of his life is left up to the reader. Maybe both of the answers are
both true. I think even though he thought in the back of his mind that the girls would be
outside waiting for him, he knew in his heart that they wouldn’t be there. I don’t think
Sammy’s future is in the grocery store business though. One thing is certain though,
Sammy’s future is up to him.
Bibliography
A&P by John Updike
Другие работы по теме:
Cannery Row Essay Research Paper CANNERY ROWDoc
Cannery Row Essay, Research Paper CANNERY ROW Doc lived in Cannnery Row for a variety of reasons. One reason was that Doc had a ” cool warm mind” and therefore he was quite caring. He showed this by taking care of anyone or anything. An example of this included when he checked on Darling when she was sick. Another example of this care is a quote in the book that follows as ” Doc would listen to any kind of nonsense and change it for you to a kind of wisdom.” Another reason why he lived in Cannery Row existed as he was loved by everyone.
Reasons For Undertaking A Project On Land
Essay, Research Paper The reason that I decided to undertake this particular project was that I live on a farm and with doing so I had a rather broad spectrum of things I could do on the land, but nothing else interested me as
Writing A Poem Essay Research Paper Writing
Writing A Poem Essay, Research Paper Writing a Poem It is beyond reason; there is no motive, no explanation Why it is, I do not know because there is cause, no clarification.
Cellphones At School Essay Research Paper Cell
Cellphones? At School? Essay, Research Paper Cell phones should be banned from rural schools. There is no reason for them in rural schools, they are a distraction, and finally they could aid in violent
Age Of Reason Essay Research Paper The
Age Of Reason Essay, Research Paper The age of reason was a time of Empiricism and of Materialism, which brought out philosophers like John Locke and George Berkeley as well as authors like Swift and Pope. These philosophers and authors belong to the Age of Reason because of their use of anti-emotional thought and the idea of Occam’s razor.
They Know Essay Research Paper Out of
They Know Essay, Research Paper Out of my love for you is conceived only pain However that gives me some pleasure Your face reflects the night of a full moon
Cancer The Crab Essay Research Paper Cancer
Cancer: The Crab Essay, Research Paper Cancer: The Crab Cancer is a constellation, also known as the crab. You can see the stars that make up cancer during the winter in the eastern
Herodotus Essay Research Paper Herodotus Essay Herodotus
Herodotus Essay, Research Paper Herodotus Essay Herodotus of Halicarnassus was born about 484 B.C. he died 60 years later. For the time he lived in this age was very old though by today’s standards it is not. The reason why his age was so outstanding was in his time the average man live for maybe half that because of the harsh living conditions.
Life Essay Research Paper People come into
Life Essay, Research Paper People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. When you figure out which it is, you know exactly what to do. When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed outwardly or inwardly. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually.
Human Nature Essay Research Paper My belief
Human Nature Essay, Research Paper My belief about human nature is best summarized by the thoughts of Fr. Montaigne. I think that the idea that man is a hypocritical and contradictory is
Total Humiliation Essay Research Paper There are
Total Humiliation Essay, Research Paper There are few things in life that are more embarrassing than being the cause of a held up queue. The main reason why this causes shame, lowered eyes, nervousness, sweaty palms and that intense wish that you were someone else, is because of the disdain we hold for people who cause us the delay when we are standing in a queue eager to get on with the next part of out day.
Effiecent Freeway Driving Essay Research Paper Hate
Effiecent Freeway Driving Essay, Research Paper Hate Crimes To what extent is a crime a hate crime? Aren t all crimes to some extent hate crimes? Should the consequences for a crime committed against a minority be more than that for one against a white person? The purpose for classifying a crime as a hate crime might be to raise awareness in the public to the intolerance against minorities but I believe the punishment should fit the crime and not the reason for the crime.
Why Do People Go To College Essay
, Research Paper Why do people go to college? One main reason is to increase their chances of getting a job. Most employers will hire a person with a college degree. Some believe that if a person goes through all the trouble of going to college, this might mean he will work harder and better. Anoth er main reason is the salary.
Sex Before Marriage Essay Research Paper Wait
Sex Before Marriage Essay, Research Paper Wait To Have Sex Although there are many people having sex, you shouldn’t. I am going to give you some reasons on why you shouldn’t. First of all, you
Responsibilities Of An American Citizen Essay Research
Paper An American citizen has many responsibilities to keep America and his/her community going. Some of these responsibilities might be -1. Duty : Every citizen has a duty to vote!Reason : As citizens you have the duty to beinformed about the issues and hold an opinionon them that is for the benefit of the wholesociety.
Huck Finn Essay Research Paper Why Huckleberry
Huck Finn Essay, Research Paper Why Huckleberry Finn Rejects Civilization Why does Huckleberry Finn reject civilization? In Mark Twain?s novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain describes Huck Finn as a normal down to earth kid from the 1800?s. Huck Finn rejects civilization because he has no reason for it.
Year 2000 Essay Research Paper Year 2000The
Year 2000 Essay, Research Paper Year 2,000 The year two thousand seems to be on the tip of every ones tongue. From what will happen to what to expect when it comes. Others believe that these few days
Hunting Is Bad Essay Research Paper A
Hunting Is Bad Essay, Research Paper A hunter walks through the woods, stalking an unsuspecting deer…Bang! The deer is dead. The hunter walks away feeling good about himself, and happy that he got a deer. Some people think this is wrong. They think that you should not kill animals for sport. It is important that hunting does not become extinct.
Euthanasia Essay Research Paper EuthanasiaEuthanasia is just
Euthanasia Essay, Research Paper Euthanasia Euthanasia is just another word for ?mercy killing? as some people put it but it also means good death. I look at it as more of a good death if it is performed with the right procedures and if a person has a legitimate reason to be put to death but many people would not agree with me that it should be legal.
Romeo And Juliet Tragedy Of A Family
Or A City? Essay, Research Paper Romeo and Juliet: Tragedy of A Family or A City? Is Romeo and Juliet’s death a tragedy of two families or a tragedy of a city? In the following quote, W. H. Auden says, “The tragedy of Romeo and
Sbs CORE Program Essay Research Paper My
Sbs C.O.R.E. Program Essay, Research Paper My name is BRIAN MCGHEE. I am 24yrs old. The reason I want to be in SBS-C.O.R.E. program is that I think the program has what I need in order for me to receive my bachelor’s degree. One of the things I have trouble with is understanding things the first time. It has always taken me a little longer.
Use Of Force Essay Research Paper The
Use Of Force Essay, Research Paper The Use of Force illustrates very well the feelings and emotions of a normally rational person, who, for any reason, is subjected to a situation that causes
Ode To Boys Essay Research Paper We
Ode To Boys Essay, Research Paper We like them But do they like us The ones we do never fuss They don’t stop in And we wonder why We stress, we bitch We sometimes cry
President Roosevelt Essay Research Paper Just after
President Roosevelt Essay, Research Paper Just after war broke out in Europe, President Roosevelt hurriedly called his cabinet and military advisors together. There it was agreed that the United states stay neutral in these affairs. One of the reasons given was that unless America was directly threatened they had no reason to be involved.
Frankenstien The Book Essay Research Paper Journal
Frankenstien The Book Essay, Research Paper Journal Chap. 24-end # 17 The end of the novel was left very open. I felt as though there is no conclusion. Where is the sequel? I think that Walton will not continue Victors quest to see the monster dead. The monster only had one reason to live, and that was to make Victor s life a living hell.
Recycling Essay Research Paper Why The Kids
Recycling Essay, Research Paper Why The Kids Won’t Recycle There are a few reasons why kids don’t think too highly of recycling. The first reason, haunting most of us, is the fact that we are lazy. Most kids will just throw their garbage away in the nearest garbage, no matter what it happens to be for. Another problem is that the paper recycling bins have the largest opening.
Hitlers Germany Essay Research Paper One reason
Hitlers Germany Essay, Research Paper One reason the people of Germany accepted Hitler’s orders willingly and without question was beause it was what they wanted to hear. At the time the depression