Description In A&P

Description in a short story is used to portray things such as a person's character, the theme of the story and the world in which the person lives. The short story "A & P" by author John Updike has descriptions to help bring out the meaning of the story. The character Sammy is inspired by a girl he names Queenie, and upon first sight her beauty captivates him. "[Her] straps were down. They were off her shoulders looped loose around the cool tops of her arms"(p. ). Sammy's character is a romantic one, as the descriptions of the girls, co-workers and customers show that he is very emotionally aware. As soon as three girls walk into the grocery store, everyone notices their arrival: "[i]n walks these girls wearing nothing but bathing suits...[t]hey didn't even have shoes on" (p. ). These girls are unlike any other character in the story; They stand out while everyone else is portrayed as "sheep pushing their carts down the aisle" (p. ). This suggests that the world where Sammy lives is bland, and to him all people look the same. These descriptions are used to suggest the theme of the story: identity. These girls stir up emotions inside of Sammy, which cause him to defend the girls and change his life even though they are complete strangers. The descriptions within the story shows us, the readers, the theme of the story, and help to bring the author's message out in a captivating and detailed way.