Consuming Women in the “A&P”
John Updike’s short story “A&P” details the inner-workings of mass consumerism through the perspective of his protagonist Sammy that works as a cashier in the A&P. In creating this microcosm, Updike demonstrates not only the nature but also the ramifications of mass consumerism on all parties involved such as the customers of the A&P and Sammy. Moreover, Updike’s “A&P” also points out a significant relationship between gender and consumerism. Within the story, the relationship between gender and consumerism does not appear to be consumeristic in terms of monetary benefits. Instead, there is a focus on women within the story as being the “goods” to which other characters, particularly the men within the story act as the ‘consumer. For instance, after the girls ask McMahon a question, Sammy notices that McMahon was, “patting his mouth and looking after them sizing up their joints.” (Updike 4) in this moment, McMahon is visually consuming the three women as they walki...