John Updike

John Updike

In John Updike"s "A&P"’, class is certainly an influential part of the story. There is a sense that Sammy is unhappy, feels as if he is lower class, and is yearning for something better. He works at a petty grocery store; where he feels the customers and other employees are lower class. He refers to the women with six children (clearly he is exaggerating here, not every one of these women have six kids) and varicose veins mapping their legs and nobody, including them could care less (Updike 10). He sees these women as bland, unsophisticated woman barely on a step in the social ladder. Secondly, he has low standards for Stokesie, the other cashier. He is sarcastic when he refers to him wanting to be the manager on "some sunny day", maybe in 1990 when it'’s called the Great Alexandrov and Petrooshki Tea Company or something.” (Updike 9) Bottom line, Sammy thinks that Stokesie will never be good enough to be the manager. Also, it'’s very clear that Sammy is not only attracted to "“Queenie"”