In the majority of short stories from John Updike we are exposed to the authorÆs chronicle of American life. Innovative and unfashionably conservative, Updike explores psychological processes and sexual candor in his stories but he does so in an accessible manner by focusing on the middle-class and its values. Updike is a master stylist, celebrating sensual life with fluid and precise prose. He combines style with grace by tackling many subjects like sex and religion with sensitivity, without resorting to sensationalism. He often explores the human soul via situations drawn from his own experiences in both his novels and short stories. More attention is usually paid to UpdikeÆs novels than his short stories or poetry, yet his takes his short story writing seriously. As Grenier (1981) maintains, ôThe short stories, prose, play, and poems are not just busywork between novels, they are proof that he is adept at many different genres of literatureö (xi).
The exploration of sexuality, psychology, and middle-class values preoccupy many of UpdikeÆs short stories. A & P, narrated by an A & P employed named Sammy, is illustrative of these concerns. Sammy is the narrator and from him we receive our perceptions of this surreal supermarket where customers appear as pre-programmed pig-like animals scratching and pulling for their needs. Within this supermarket like society, there is an established power hierarchy, with Mr. Lengel the store manager the supreme power. SammyÆs boredom with the routine, mechanical nature of the job mirrors the mechanical routine of the customers and employees. SammyÆs boredom is interrupted only by sexual thoughts stirred by three girls in swimsuits. Mr. Lengel considers such behavior inappropriate and tells them to leave, ôGirls, I donÆt want to argue with you...ItÆs our policyö (Updike, 1985, 393).
In many short stories characters like Sammy feel oppressed by manmade middle-class values...