How Does John Updike Use Irony In A & P

John Updike's short story “A&P” explores teenage rebellion and coming-of-age, through multiple stylistic elements such as symbolism, metaphor, and irony; Updike can portray his theme of the consequences of making decisions based on impulse and youthful idealism specifically through the character Sammy.

The “A&P'' grocery shop is a particularly effective symbol in this scenario. The narrator, Sammy, who works at the shop, has both a physical and symbolic role in the story. In addition to Sammy's workplace, the store represents society's expectations of conformity. Other customers are described as “sheep” who came in wiping their hands on their skirts as though the shelves had been dusting themselves since the last time they were in. “The sheep

For instance, when Sammy quits his job he says he feels like he is “A couple of customers that had been heading for my slot begin to knock against each other, like scared pigs in a chute.” (2). Updike's use of metaphor in the quote serves to highlight the theme of Sammy's powerlessness and lack of control. By comparing his customers to scared pigs, he conveys how they are helplessly herded through the aisles of the store, just like Sammy feels he is being herded through life. This metaphor symbolizes how Sammy has no choice but to follow society's expectations, even if it means sacrificing his happiness. Furthermore, the fact that these customers are described as "pigs" emphasizes how Sammy views them as mindless and unthinking; they are unable to recognize or reject societal norms, just like Sammy himself is unable to do so. Overall, Updike's use of metaphor in this quote helps to illustrate the feelings of entrapment and futility that Sammy experiences daily. Through the perspective of Psychoanalytic Criticism, Updike employs a metaphor to symbolize Sammy's powerlessness and lack of control in the face of societal expectations. The metaphor of scared pigs in a chute highlights how the customers are helplessly following cultural rules without questioning or reflecting on their actions, representing the unconscious desires of conformity that exist within individuals. This lack of agency is also

Although Sammy initially views himself as a hero for standing up to authority, he soon realizes that his actions have consequences. His boss Lengel tells him that "You'll feel this for the rest of your life,..." (Updike 2). This statement ironically highlights Sammy's naivete regarding his impulsiveness; he thought he was doing something heroic but instead discovers that it had serious implications for his future. Sammy's realization that his actions have consequences is a powerful moment in the story. Updike uses irony to emphasize the gravity of this lesson, as Sammy learns that there are repercussions for his decisions. Lengel's words serve as a reminder of how quickly youthful recklessness can be replaced by adult responsibility, even if it is too late for Sammy to undo his mistake. Using psychoanalytic criticism, we can deduce that Updike uses irony to illustrate Sammy's naivete and his newfound understanding of adult responsibility. Initially viewing himself as a hero for standing up to authority, Sammy realizes the consequences of his impulsive decision to quit his job. Lengel's words that Sammy will "feel this for the rest of your life" serve as a powerful reminder of the repercussions of his actions. Updike uses irony to emphasize the gravity of this lesson and highlight how quickly youthful recklessness can be replaced by adult responsibility. This realization adds a