At times in life, things seem to appear different than they are, for instance the thrill of successfully getting a first job. This moment in my life was getting a job at a grocery store just like Sammy. These moments can have a great impact on a person. One could say that this definitive moment is an epiphany, or realization in life. In the short story "A&P" by John Updike, the main character, Sammy, has an epiphany and realizes that a simple choice can lead to a better understanding of mature life.
Therefore, the shift of powers in this short story caught my eye immediately. The main characters seem to be at the teenage stage of life, implying sexuality plays an important role in who holds the power. All eyes are on the young girls as they walk into the store in "nothing but bathing suits  (Updike 353). Sammy's ultimate decision of quitting is based on impressing the girls and being free, even though it doesn't work (Updike 359). The attention the girls attract is a power they earn. They are aware that the boys in the store are staring, and control the atmosphere. They act as though it is not a big deal as Queenie "kept her head held high  (Updike 354), even though that in this time period it was unacceptable to be uncovered in a public place. By not acknowledging the men's interests, they continue to hold the power. When they are finished shopping, a shift in power becomes quite present when Lengel comes over to talk to the girls. He steals the power and attention they have held onto for so long by embarrassing them, explaining why it is not okay to come into the store indecent (Updike 357). The girls leave too quickly to notice Sammy's romantic act showing the power of sexuality they still held over him (Updike 358). As his good deed is left unnoticed, he is stuck with a life-changing realization.
Furthermore, Sammy respects the girls for their bold decision to stand up to Lengel. This in turn gives him the confidence ...