John Updike's "A&P" and William Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily" both explore class conflict and the problems that arise from it . In "A&P", Sammy, the narrator, comments on a girl he calls Queenie, who is rather upper class, while he works at the A&P grocery store. Updike suggests that those who have money have more freedom than those who do not. In “A Rose For Emily,” the entire town watches as Emily sinks deeper and deeper into mental illness. Here, Faulkner seems to be suggesting that those with money have less freedom. In “A&P,” Updike suggests that members of the middle class have a particular fascination with the rich, which ultimately leads to their demise. In "A Rose for Emily", Faulkner also suggests that members of the middle class have a particular fascination with the rich, but that this ultimately leads to the demise of the upper classes. This is evident in the point of view, tone, and symbolism of “A&P” and “A Rose for Emily.” The views of “A&P” and “A Rose for Emily” show the fascination people have with those of the upper classes. class. Updike writes in the first person. The narrator is Sammy, a cashier at the grocery store. Queenie, who walks around the A&P in only a swimsuit, fascinates him. Updike writes: “She was wearing some sort of dirty pink bathing suit with a little picot on it, and what attracted me was that the straps were down. » (Updike, 2). He describes the girls in great detail throughout the story, obviously studying them. This first-person point of view shows the thoughts of Sammy, who is middle class. His fascination with Queenie is exemplary of the average person's fascination with the rich. Sammy analyzes Queenie so much that he feels a special connection with her, thinking... middle of paper...... finding all her hidden secrets there. This shows that people's fascination with her ultimately led to her demise. Thus, Updike and Faulkner use symbolism to express the middle class's fascination with the rich, which leads to the eventual demise of one or the other. “A&P” and “A Rose for Emily” both serve as a warning about the obsession with those considered the richest. or in the upper class. This is certainly still a problem in the world today. On a large scale, people worship celebrities. This can cause people to feel bad about themselves and have low self-confidence due to the apparent perfection of celebrities. It can also cause celebrities to decline, abuse drugs, commit crimes, etc. These stories warn us against idolizing people solely for their material possessions or their place in society, as this can have a detrimental effect on both sides..