"A&P", by John Updike, is a short essay about a young man that encounters a moral dilemma while working in a local grocery store. The essay starts when three young ladies came into the A&P, a grocery store chain, wearing only bathing suites. A younger Updike was the narrator of the story he worked in the A&P as a cashier at the time of this incident. After the girls were spotted by the manager of the store he confronted the girls and asked them to cover themselves the next time they came in. In doing so he made a seen that many of the shoppers noticed. In an effort to impress the girls as they were leaving from an embarrassing seen Updike decided to tell his manager, Lingel, that he quit. Updike was not only trying to impress the girls but at the same time he was making a stand for what he thought was right.
I was drawn to this essay because everyone has a similar story they can tell. I remember a time that I had to take a stand for my morals. I was in front of the place that could very well change the direction in which my life was headed. I had a big green duffle-bag stuffed with my entire collegiate wardrobe barely hanging onto my left arm and my other fist was full of hangers. I started to walk toward the op
After having read "A&P" by John Updike I have learned that have to stand up for themselves if they ever want to be taken seriously. Everyone wonders what would happen if they had made a different decision sometimes. Looking back at my actions I still wonder what the outcome would have been if I chose a different way. I am very proud of myself for standing up for what I wanted instead of letting my roommate take advantage of my kindness. I am also glad that I chose to keep myself honest. In doing this paper I have found that no matter how much a decision may not seem to matter right away they usually do meaningful to yourself later on.
As I stepped out of the elevator I was overwhelmed by the different music downloaded using "Napster" coming out of just about every door on the way to my room. It seemed like my room was the only one with it's door closed. Finally I dropped my bag at the door to my room and knocked on the door. I heard music coming from behind it but no answer. I knocked again and then tried looking into the peephole in the door. I was startled to see another eye looking out at me and then the door opened. He introduced himself quite quickly and proceeded back to his computer like he had paper due within the next minute. I asked him what he was doing and he replied "Nothing just downloading songs off of Napster.". Still gazing into webspace he softly yelled so I could hear him over his music. He said "I'm having a party in here tonight." Then he asked "Do want to drink now?". It seemed as if he had heard everything I had thought about and challenged me directly. I paused for a second or two still wondering if he was a mind reader but then he asked me, "Do you drink?" I answered, "Yes, occa
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