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Symbols In John Updike's A & P

424 Words2 Pages
In the short story “A&P” John Updike uses a plethora of symbols to enhance his writing. Bathing suits, herring snacks, and sheep are three symbols that add to the deeper meaning of the story and give us an insight into Sammy’s thoughts. The narrator, Sammy, has grown accustomed to the daily routine of work at the A&P until 3 girls come in wearing brightly colored bathing suits. Sammy was baffled by their rebellious nature and commented “They didn’t even have shoes on” (197) to add to his disbelief. The bathing suits symbolize the girls as fresh and exciting. They grab Sammy’s attention and eventually create a spark in him to be rebellious too. Another symbol is the Herring snacks that Queenie buys. The snacks do not go unnoticed
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