"A&P"

At first, I thought this story was about anatomy and physiology. I was very wrong. It is about a teenage boy who works in the grocery store, A&P, as a cashier. He is mesmerized by three girls who walk in wearing bathing suites. He follows them with his eyes, describes them, and names them by the characteristics that they display in the store. He is completely distracted by them being there, typical of a teenage boy. The store manager complains and tells them that they should dress properly.
The young boy is clearly going through puberty. He cannot concentrate because three teenage girls are walking around the store. Although he does not know the girls, he gives the readers a clear description of them by naming them and adding personalities. He is a little dramatic towards the end, when he takes off his apron and quits his job. There may be a deeper meaning to this story. He is so fasinated by these girls; he creates an illusion in his head and once it is taken away, he is upset. The girls may represent some kind of guilty pleasure John Updike had. Once it was taken away, he is angry and retreats. It also can display some sort of moral; when something or someone is removed, some people resort in a childish manner.

"Everyday Use"

Hmm, so the past two stories have been about women in the South. This story is written in the first person (by the "mama") and compares all the family members; the mother, the shy daughter, and the successful daughter. Dee visits her mom and sister Maggie after an extended absence. It seems that the two daughters have opposite characteristics; Maggie is shy, not very educated, but excels in household work, while Dee is attractive, successful, educated, and selfish. Maggie inherits traditions from her culture such as quilting, while Dee somewhat rejects it in that sense. It is interesting to see that siblings raised in the same environment, display contrasting personalities. Dee seems to use her background to better herself by getting an education and exploring her heritage.

This kind of reminds me of my own siblings. My brother is shy and reserved, while my sister is loud and outgoing. Although they were raised the same, their personalities differ.