The story, "A & P" by John Updike is about three teenage girls that walk into an A & P wearing nothing but bathing suits. Sammy, the young cashier, watches them closely. He names their leader "Queenie" because of her regal, careless manner. Queenie and the other two girls want to buy Kingfish Fancy Herring Snacks in Pure Sour Cream. When the girls approach the register, Sammy's manager, Lengel, reprimands them for not covering up before coming into the store. Seeing Queenie and the girls upset, Sammie tells Lengel that he didn't need to embarrass them like that. Lengel retorts that the girls embarrassed him and the town by flaunting their bodies. Sammy gallantly quits on the spot to defend Queenie's honor. However, she takes no notice. Sammy realizes that no one appreciates his gesture and that his romantic, chivalrous ideas will make life hard for him.
I read a short story titled, “The Lesson” by Toni Cade Bambara and it follows this street girl named Sylvia who just wants to play instead of hearing lessons about the world from a lady named Ms. Moore. We are told that Ms. Moore has a college degree, is well dressed most of the times, and has a good command on her language. She seems to be a kind of a person who has seen the world, someone who has experienced life, and wants to use that experience in providing the children with an opportunity. In my opinion, she seems like a wonderful person because not many people look back at their community when they’re in a better position. I appreciate that Ms. Moore tried to teach the children about their living conditions and how it’s unfair when many other people are living a better life with no care for them. The story created awareness for the adolescents about what life has to offer. The fact that many of the children and even their parents accepting the realities of life to such an...
Yes, he quits his job for this girl Queenie only to realize he made a big mistake. His hero persona was now for nothing, she will never know that he stood up for her.
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