Carpe Diem and How It Relates to “A&P” by John Updike
Carpe Diem and How It Relates to “A&P” by John Updike
Sammy, the leading character and narrator of “A&P” by John Updike, is a young cashier in an A&P supermarket. Sammy is a working class dreamer trying to find his way in life. He devotes a great part of his narrative to describe his unpleasant job. Indeed, the story takes place inside the supermarket on a summer day; three girls in nothing but bathing suits come into the store while he is working. One of the girls catches Sammy’s eye. Feeling overwhelmed by her beauty, he nicknames the girl Queenie. Her two piece bathing suit was unacceptable to the conservative supermarket crowd, especially to Lengel, the manager. While Queenie and Lengel argue about store policies, Sammy sees the opportunity to seize the day. Fascinated about the unique aspects of the girls, he decides to take a stand against the pattern of his boring life. He doesn’t know how; however, he uses the conflict about the bathing suits as an excuse to take action. Seizing the day means being the best we could be. Obviously, while working as a cashier, he does the opposite of what he would like to do. He is ambitious and posses the ability to distinguish between social classes. As an example; his impression of Queenie’s lifestyle is different from the people of his town. Such a contrast becomes a great motivation to make life changes. Quitting his job is taking a stand to protest against the conflict and his standard of living. It demonstrates that he is capable to stand up for what he believes. Sammy doesn’t regret quitting his job. He starts narrating the moment when he quits, saying, “Now here comes the sad part of the story, at least my family says it’s sad, but I don’t think it’s so sad myself.” Clearly, his attempt to make an impact on Queenie served as a path to freedom. The spontaneous deed might bring adverse effects, but he is firm on his choice. Seizing the day is all about making firm choices like this. A
Sammy, the leading character and narrator of “A&P” by John Updike, is a young cashier in an A&P supermarket. Sammy is a working class dreamer trying to find his way in life. He devotes a great part of his narrative to describe his unpleasant job. Indeed, the story takes place inside the supermarket on a summer day; three girls in nothing but bathing suits come into the store while he is working. One of the girls catches Sammy’s eye. Feeling overwhelmed by her beauty, he nicknames the girl Queenie. Her two piece bathing suit was unacceptable to the conservative supermarket crowd, especially to Lengel, the manager. While Queenie and Lengel argue about store policies, Sammy sees the opportunity to seize the day. Fascinated about the unique aspects of the girls, he decides to take a stand against the pattern of his boring life. He doesn’t know how; however, he uses the conflict about the bathing suits as an excuse to take action. Seizing the day means being the best we could be. Obviously, while working as a cashier, he does the opposite of what he would like to do. He is ambitious and posses the ability to distinguish between social classes. As an example; his impression of Queenie’s lifestyle is different from the people of his town. Such a contrast becomes a great motivation to make life changes. Quitting his job is taking a stand to protest against the conflict and his standard of living. It demonstrates that he is capable to stand up for what he believes. Sammy doesn’t regret quitting his job. He starts narrating the moment when he quits, saying, “Now here comes the sad part of the story, at least my family says it’s sad, but I don’t think it’s so sad myself.” Clearly, his attempt to make an impact on Queenie served as a path to freedom. The spontaneous deed might bring adverse effects, but he is firm on his choice. Seizing the day is all about making firm choices like this. A