In John Updike's short story, A&P, the writer takes you into a youthful memory that involves the choices and consequences that life can inflict on anyone who has not had time to test a rash decision The narrator is an immature nineteen-year-old cashier who is about to take a giant leap from adolescence to manhood. Sammy narrates with opinions not only about his life, but. also about the townspeople Sammy objects to the way these people live their lives and is determined to chart a different course for its future. The author uses characterization, symbolism, and context to explain the problems of. Sammy's life such as decision making, outcome of action, and responsibility The story illustrates that part of growing up is making choices and being willing to accept the consequences of your own choices. The story begins as if it were a typical day at work at A&P. Sammy is a typical teenager, making sarcastic comparisons to customers at the grocery store. He calls one of his customers a "witch" and says the other customers are "house slaves" and "sheep." Sammy clearly doesn't like this job, but finds ways to get through the day. However, from the moment the three girls enter the A&P until they leave the store, you can see dramatic changes in Sammy. Sammy covets young girls and nicknames the most attractive ones in his eyes “Queenie”. Young girls in swimsuits fascinate him and, although he looks at them excessively, he negatively criticizes others who do the same. As the girls walk past the oldest employee, McMahon, Sammy notices how he has been leering at the girls and pats his mouth. Sammy seems disgusted by his action and begins to sympathize with the girls. "Poor children, I started to feel sorry for them, they couldn't help it" (Update...... middle of paper ......n behavior, and he would benefit from turn the love or acceptance of one of the girls While in reality the girls moved on, the irony is that he quit for their approval, and they had already left and didn't. witnessed quitting. Updike uses the experiences of teenagers to tell how choices can affect our lives and the consequences that come with it. When Sammy decides to quit his job, he makes the choice to be an individual and venture out. into the unknown. He doesn't want to marry with children at a young age like Stokesie, nor be as rigid as a manager, Mr. Lengel The story ends with the phrase "I felt at what." how hard the world was going to be for me afterward” (Updike 102), meaning that Sammy is no longer a carefree teenager, but a man who now has to do it. accept that his rash choice to quit had a result. Works Citedhttps://www.123helpme.com/view.asp?id=5853