Written in the early 1960’s, a time period of rebellion and social revolution, A&P demonstrates teen Americans need to stride away from the 1960’s version of the ‘american dream’. John Updike’s use of symbolism, to illustrate Sammy's rebellion, leads readers into realizing the importance of sceding away from societal conformity and pressure. According to Sammy, the customers symbolize the “sheep” of society as they blindly go down the aisles as if they are a worthless herd of tongue-tied people. Sammy’s attitude toward the herd shows that he depicts people who uncritically follow societal norms, indirectly emphasizing the importance of individualism. The connotation of ‘Sheep’ leaves a positive impression in the reader's mind at first considering how the people acted normal for the time period. However; soon readers realize that being a mindless follower is deplorable as today's generation teaches individuals to become an inventive leader rather than a mere follower. Updike uses the girls to represent as a threat to values, customs and social guidelines upon the ‘herd of sheep’. Their actions clearly display deliberate provocation as they show up in bathing suits at a local grocery store, 20 …show more content…
Representing as the ‘policy’ and governing society, he emotionally moves Sammy by his attitude towards the girls. Consequently Sammy stands up for these girls and quits his job in sympathy. Since he was a teen during the time of social revolution, he believed that freedom of their ideals was important. At this time in history, Lengel's comments are normal, whereas Sammy’s thoughts are not. Readers can conclude that If it was today, Lengel’s comments would be considered exaggerated. Readers appreciate Sammy’s acts out of frustration in his teen years because it illustrates his bravery despite the cost of his