Post by margaretpalko on Sept 22, 2015 19:26:14 GMT
The use of imagery in A&P is very prevalent throughout the story. The author, whose name we later learn is Sammy, is a cashier at a local A&P, which is about five miles away from the beach. While ringing up a woman he notices these three, young girls walk into the A&P, and this is when the imagery really begins.
Imagery begins right off the bat when Sammy describes the first girl he sees as the "chunky one". Her belly is also described as "pretty pale". The next girl he talks about is "tall... with black hair that hadn't quite frizzed right... and a chin that was too long". Finally he talks about the Queen (otherwise known as Queenie) who has "oaky hair... and a kind of prim face". These few details began to formulate a picture in the reader's mind of what these girls exactly looked like. Sammy also talks about what the girls are doing, and what their actions are. Updike does this to weave in what these girls are like. For example, Queenie also "led them", so Sammy sees her as a leader; she is not like her friends who are "peeking around". Sammy continues to say that Queenie puts a spring in her step, meaning she walks a certain way, as in she is defiant and not afraid. Sammy really describes Queenie as he finds her incredibly attractive.
Continuing, Updike then begins to describe the clothing worn. Queenie has this "kind of dirty pink.. beige maybe" bathing suit, and the so called chunky one has a bathing suit that is a "plaid green two piece". These few details help characterize these girls because they are considered bold, and daring in comparison to a town where every one covers up. Sammy says "the women generally put on a shirt or shorts or something before they get out of the far into the street." Basically these girls are defying the normal, and Sammy admires it.
Throughout this short story imagery is found everywhere, but by using this device Updike can really portray this idea that humans should be allowed to stand against the normal.
Imagery begins right off the bat when Sammy describes the first girl he sees as the "chunky one". Her belly is also described as "pretty pale". The next girl he talks about is "tall... with black hair that hadn't quite frizzed right... and a chin that was too long". Finally he talks about the Queen (otherwise known as Queenie) who has "oaky hair... and a kind of prim face". These few details began to formulate a picture in the reader's mind of what these girls exactly looked like. Sammy also talks about what the girls are doing, and what their actions are. Updike does this to weave in what these girls are like. For example, Queenie also "led them", so Sammy sees her as a leader; she is not like her friends who are "peeking around". Sammy continues to say that Queenie puts a spring in her step, meaning she walks a certain way, as in she is defiant and not afraid. Sammy really describes Queenie as he finds her incredibly attractive.
Continuing, Updike then begins to describe the clothing worn. Queenie has this "kind of dirty pink.. beige maybe" bathing suit, and the so called chunky one has a bathing suit that is a "plaid green two piece". These few details help characterize these girls because they are considered bold, and daring in comparison to a town where every one covers up. Sammy says "the women generally put on a shirt or shorts or something before they get out of the far into the street." Basically these girls are defying the normal, and Sammy admires it.
Throughout this short story imagery is found everywhere, but by using this device Updike can really portray this idea that humans should be allowed to stand against the normal.
