"A&P," a short story by John Updike, tells the story of Sammy, a young cashier at a grocery store called the A&P. The story takes place in the summer, and Sammy is working at the store when three girls in their early twenties come in wearing only their bathing suits. Sammy is immediately captivated by the girls, especially one he refers to as "Queenie," who he describes as having "the magenta stripe in her hair."
As the girls shop, they draw the attention of other customers, who stare and whisper about them. Sammy's manager, Lengel, approaches the girls and tells them that they need to be dressed appropriately in the store. The girls, embarrassed and humiliated, leave the store.
Sammy is outraged by Lengel's behavior and decides to quit his job on the spot. He feels that Lengel's actions were unfair and that the girls should be able to wear whatever they want. He also sees quitting his job as a way to impress the girls and prove to them that he is different from the other people in the store.
After quitting, Sammy goes to the beach to try and find the girls, but they are nowhere to be found. He returns home and reflects on his decision to quit, realizing that it was probably not the best choice and that he may have made a mistake. He also begins to understand that his attraction to the girls was not just about their appearance, but also about his desire to escape his mundane life and the constraints of his small town.
In the end, "A&P" is a coming-of-age story that explores the theme of rebellion and the desire for freedom and individuality. Through Sammy's actions and thoughts, the reader is able to see the struggles and motivations of a young person trying to find their place in the world.
