A&P: Females as Food?

 This was my second or third time reading A&P and I always find the setting very interesting. This short story takes place in a supermarket, which I always picture as like an Aldi’s. This entire story is told through the narration of Sammy, a 19-year-old cashier at the local A&P. The concept of three young girls walking into a supermarket in bikinis might not be quite as odd in current society, but in the timing of this short story it was something that was outrageous. Through Sammy’s narration he talks about these girls as if they are something that can be consumed or purchased. He describes them in relation to food and watches after them as they journey through the store. He describes one as having a "berry-face" and Queenie's breasts as "the two smoothest scoops of vanilla". Through Sammy’s narration we find that the girls have not only captured his attention but the attention of many others in the supermarket. The girls walked past the meat/deli section and are stared after by the man running the counter. One interesting thing that sticks out to me is the relationship that Sammy seems to conjure up between him and the girls. He sticks up to his boss for them and claims them as his girls which is rather odd because their face-to-face interaction was maybe 3 minutes long. He takes on the role of hero but then is left surprised and disappointed when his “heroic efforts” aren't acknowledged by the girls. I think there are a lot of different ways to read this short story but reading it through a Marxist and feminist lens has probably been my favorite way to read and pick apart this short story.