"A Woman's Worth: A Sociological Critique of Updike's 'A & P'"

The role of women in society is forever changing but has always faltered in the eye of the male population. Prior to the Women Movements of the late nineteenth through the early twentieth centuries, women were generally viewed as property of their husbands and held little to no rights. They were expected to behave according to a strict code and were out-casted if they did otherwise. The transition between that point in history to today- a time where women are even allowed to run for presidency- has been a rocky, or controversial, one. John Updaike's "A & P" is a tale that addresses this changing role of women and how it affects various types of people. Using a sociological critique, one can see the expectation of women in the physical, mental, and spiritual aspect.

As previously state, women were expect to conduct themselves mildly and to not draw much attention to themselves. In return, we have the societal expectation that women are to be covered almost completely so as to not bring too much attention on themselves. John Updike's "A & P" is set during the summer of the early 1960s in a small town found in New England. When three young, vivacious females enter the grocery store of this small town, they immediately become the main attraction. They only have on their bathing suits. "There was nothing between the top of the suit and the top of her head except just her..." as they had ventured from the freely, open beach to the strictly, limited grocery store atmosphere. This lax in apparel in such an environment represents the relaxed restrictions that women was newly given; there was nothing standing between the younger crowd, who had become accustomed to older traditions, scoffed at the idea of any self-respecting females being so exposed. Lengel, the manager, represents the elder generation. He reprimands the young women and reminds them that "this isn't a beach". It is as if he is reminding the young women learn their place, both physically and metaphorically.

Though the Women's Suffrage Movement had expanded the rights of women, it had not totally eradicated the boundaries between the sexes. The general mentality of this era was that men were indeed still deemed superior and should be respected accordingly. This seemed to be the confusion between the store manager's assertiveness in reminded the young ladies where they were versus the young ladies' ease with coming in the grocery store as they were. The main character, Sammy, is a coming-of-age male who is in awe with the presence of Queenie and her friends. He gapes at, analyzes, and admires their diverse appearances. From the "chubby berry-faces" to "white prima donna legs" Queenie and her friends, it is apparent that they are tempting and innocently overbearing to man. Nevertheless, the young ladies were clearly unaware of their error prior to Lengel's reprimand. While clearly blushing with embarrassment, the girls insist that they are "decent" contrary to Lengel's belief who says, "Girls, I don't want to argue with you. After this come in here with your shoulders covered. It's out policy. "This clashing of ideals of what is and is not appropriate or acceptable offers a view of tension between both gender and age groups. Thus, the reader sees symbolism of the limitation that is placed on the openness that women are allowed.

The fact that the store manager, Lengel, warns Queenie and her friends to (upon their next visit to the grocery store) dress more appropriately indicates that man is giving women a chance to tone down their "vivacity" and correct this newfound, overindulgent way of life. such spirituality displayed in women during the 1960s was still overall considered unorthodox. On the other hand, Sammie freely quits his job in aims to prove a point to both Lengel and the young ladies. Sammie symbolizes the rare support that this new age of woman was receiving during this time. Lastly, the way that the girls leave the store in silence shows that women were still not totally sure of their strengths which ultimately became their weakness. This uncertainty of self leaves them in silence having no other way to fight back. This sense of liveliness versus submissiveness is the basis on which the Women's Suffrage Movement was formed.

John Updike's "A & P" shows how the physicality, mentality, and spirituality of women was still in transformation from what we typically read in history books to what we see today. Given the many opportunities that women have today versus the vast limitations on the female sex, it is apparent that women indeed have an underlying yet dominant impact on society. This ongoing transition is still controversial to this day because there are women who dare to be different and step out or, in Queenie and her friends' case, step into various situations innocently, blindly, yet boldly. This defies and thus redefines the expectations of females of the day.