Living class in John Updike's "A&P". Issue 2 (2nd April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Aguiar, Christian
• Is Part Of: Explicator. Volume 78:Issue 2(2020)
• Page Start: 58
• Page End: 61
• Publication Date: 2020-04-02
• Subjects: Working class -- living class -- John Updike -- Marxist; English literature -- History and criticism -- Periodicals; American literature -- History and criticism -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 820.5
• DOI: 10.1080/00144940.2020.1732278
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0014-4940

Abstract

Abstract: This article uses Beverly Skeggs' notion of "living class" to explore the ways class perception – and misperception – influences the narrative in John Updike's short story "A&P." It suggests that the narrator, whose actions are often viewed as rebellious, has actually misunderstood his own class position due to the deceptive class dynamics of the supermarket where he works.