A & P

It's very easy to apply a feminist criticism to the story A&P because there are multiple examples. I think the biggest reason your able to see these examples so well is because of the time period it was written in. Back in the 1960's things were much different, and lifestyles were not the same as they are now. In todays society it honestly wouldn't be that shocking to see 3 young girls walking around a grocery store in their bikinis. Back then though, it was a huge deal. The "social norm" of a woman back then was to be classy, dress appropriately, cook, clean, take care of all the things around the house. But in the story Queenie and her friends defy the social norm of everyones perspective on women by walking around in bikinis at the store. One thing that will forever be the same is that these girls with or without intention will catch the eye of a man. In this story they just so happen to catch the eye of a cashier boy, Sammy. He's intrigued by these girls and watches then while they roam the store. His boss Lengel on the other hand wants nothing to do with it. He tells the girls they are not allowed to dress like that in the store because its policy. Their shoulders were too bare. I feel like Lengel was put in the story as an anti-feminist character. He is the one that is supposed to show how much the majority of people back then felt. Queenie argues the fact that she is doing nothing wrong which is again something against the norm. Not only does queenie stand up for what she thinks is right, but so does Sammy. He didn't like the way Lengel had spoken to the girls so he quit his job. Standing up the girls the only way he knew how.