John Updike s A P - 1290 Words

Innocence and experience go hand in hand and typically reflect one another. One might say experience tarnishes innocence while others may argue innocence restrains experience. Can it however be seen that innocence may be conformity while experience is rebellion? While innocent, children will do as he or she is told and develops thoughts based on their parent or guardian’s teachings. During adolescence parent’ hair starts turning gray because that once obedient child has developed a mind and personality of his or her own. A personality that may result to â€Å"rebellious† behavior because the teenager or young adult stays out too late or never spends any time with the family because they are too busy with friends. While transitioning from†¦show more content†¦Work continues as usual until one day three girls walk into the store â€Å"†¦ in nothing but bathing suits† (Updike, 108). The girl who appears to lead the others is given the name †Å"Queenie† by Sammy. This disruption in Sammy’s life reflects the importance of rebellion. While straying from the norms of life can lead to uncertainty, it is a risk people must take to achieve true happiness because disruptions force people out of conformity and eventually to see the infinite perspectives of life. Conformity is a very comfortable way of living for people because it takes away from the fear of the unknown and the risks of life. There is no chance of becoming greater and there is no chance of failing which makes life adequate. The customers and the employees appear to be completely content with the routines of their lives. In A P, John Updike explains how conformed the customers are: I bet you could set off dynamite in an A P and the people would by and large keep reaching and checking oatmeal off their lists and muttering â€Å"Let me see, there was a third thing, began with A, asparagus, no, ah, yes, applesauce!† or whatever it is they do mut ter. (Updike, 109) Sammy is stating that the customers are so into their own world that nothing can keep them from straying from the norm. Without disruptions in life people tend to keep their heads down and just keep going. It ponders the questions if one day they will ever lift their heads up and wonder how they even got