Lit Analysis Example

Lit Analysis Example

In the short story, “A&P” by John Updike, the main character sets the story off with the introduction of three young females entering the grocery store where he works as a cashier and bag boy. The story revolves around his observations of the girls and his description of each one in contrast to the other adult patrons of the store such as the, “house-slaves in pin curlers” who eyed them as well. All the while he comes to the realization of what his life is at the current moment and he begins to feel a sort of panic because of a feeling of being stuck in that particular position, working “in the third check-out slot.” The theme of the story would be fear of growing up and aging is felt by everyone is shown through the character’s observation of the other minor characters around and the moment the main character quits and his realization after.
The main character’s fear of growing up and aging is shown through his observations of the people around him. His descriptions of the girls are quite different in contrast to the other store patrons. He takes his time when describing the girls being very descriptive to paint each one, especially “the queen,” in a good light. In fact he could even be reverential when talking about them describing one in particular as “striking and attractive” having “prima donna legs” and how she was “more than pretty” in the way she wore her bathing suit. When he turns his attention to the other store patrons, he his brief in description of the adults there. This is seen when he describes the women as just “house-slaves in pin curlers” and how Stokesie has “two babies chalked up on his fuselage already” and a wife at home. He talks about the three girls as if he longs to be with them or anywhere else than behind that counter dealing with old “witch(es).” The entire time he talks about the three females and the other costumers he seems to build up some anxiety which would lead him to later quit.
The main character’s fear of growing up is...

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