A & P is highly symbolic story

A & P is highly symbolic story with versatile thematic expressions. It takes into account the individual and adolescent longings to rebel against the common conventions, kin conflict, and the rise of superstore mentality in United States during 1950s. It is also an epitome of American affectionate milieu during 1950s and represents its varied shades in informal and ironic language. Furthermore, it narrates the psychological and emotional transitions from childhood to adolescence in a lucid manner. The most important feature of the story is its highly symbolic make up ones mindtings. Updike set up the story in 1950s that was an age when supermarket has replaced the church as the communitys central institutions.(Wells 132) Gilbert Porter (1972) writes in this forecast that, right in the middle of town, surrounded by two banks and the congregational church and the newspaper store and three really estate offices stands Updikes symbolic A& P (p. 1155). So it gives an atlas of the whole American socio-economics set-up in fifties. each institute remained a hallmark of American hostel and its values. The workout of words right in the middle manifests the importance and centrality of these institutional expressions in the American life. A & P symbolizes the mass ethic of a consumer-conditioned society. (Porter, p. 1155)An another(prenominal) important aspect of the story is social structures that Updikes has constructed and displayed in modulate to augment the thematic expressions. Sammy, the protagonist can be viewed rebelling against this social structure.As Larence Jat Dessner puts it, He is entranced and made enviously defensive by his notion that the under-clad jr. shoppers inhabit a higher social station than him (16) The juxtaposition of visual percept to attend a party in Queenies living suite to the factual account of parties at his own home is important fable of this psychological phenomenon.Sammy says, When my parents have somebody over they get lemonade and if its a real racy affair Schlitz in tall glasses with Theyll Do It Every Time cartoons stencilled on. (Updike) Furthermore, Updike has lighted the differences between one social order and the other in a subtle way. For example, in Queenies social realm, batch eat Kingfish Fancy herring snacks in Pure process Cream which symbolizes a privileged social class whereas Sammy eats HiHo gaga that embodies a lower-class status. Lengel, another character, represents the Puritan work ethic.Strength of the story is custom of a mixture of etymons in a way that produced a unifocal carry on on the reader. In addition to above mentioned conflict of social classes, it encircles the disobedient nature of its time. Sammy is caught in social compulsions at the start of the story and symbolizes a convention-ridden individual.Queenie and her company is an illustration of the rebellious temperament and any other non-conformist posture and values. She and her party enter and wander a round the store barefooted conflicting other housewives and people who only comes with shopping lists and remain totally draped in them. Updike again uses a subtle image to symbolize their non-conformist behaviour.They amble up an aisle against the normal route of traffic. This metaphorically explains their behaviour that is against the social conventions of the time. This makes realize Sammy of his own conditionality. This generates a desire in him to be different from the society. So he rebels against the society. Lengel is juxtaposed with Sammy as he sticks to conventionalities and embodies the strict superior ethics. Mr. recognize him as the Voice of the Establishment (1157). These images illustrate the second theme in a perfect way.