Rebel Without a Clue in A&P by UpdikeAdults always stress that it is important to make a good first impression. That's what Sammy was trying to accomplish in "A & P." by John Updike. Although some people believe that Sammy is a hero for standing up for his beliefs when he quit, there is conclusive evidence that he left in an attempt to impress a girl he was obviously attracted to, Queenie. We know he's attracted to Queenie because he goes out of his way to tell us what she looks like, what her mannerisms are, and how other girls follow her. For example, he says, "She was the queen. She sort of led them, the other two peered around and turned their backs" (1026). This simple quote shows that Sammy immediately identified Queenie as being responsible. Another quote that describes this perfectly is, "but you got the idea that she had convinced the other two to come here with her, and now she was showing them how to do it, walk slowly and stand straight" (1026). Naturally Sammy is attracted to Queenie and wants to get her to notice him. Sammy thinks to himself, "She must have heard out of the corner of her eye me and Stokesie over my shoulder in the second slot I was looking at, but she didn't trip. Not this queen" (1027). Sammy is surprised to see something like this in his town. He says, "and women generally put on a t-shirt or shorts or something before they get out of the car and onto the street. And anyway these are usually women with six children and varicose veins mapped on their legs and to no one, including them, could care less” (1027). Sammy's descriptions also indicated that he had a lot of sexual interest in Queenie. He describes it as vividly as possible. He begins by saying, "With that s... half of the card... it will be from there on out. Sammy managed to draw attention to himself, but it didn't work out as he had hoped." he would have done it. The girls most likely didn't even realize he had left. He tried so hard to get Queenie to see him and accept him, but that didn't work either, as Sammy's attempt to impress the girls didn't work. he remained in a deep shadow called life. I agree with Nathan Hatcher who wrote, “Sammy quits his job not as a matter of ideals, but rather to show off and try to impress girls, especially Queenie” (37). Works Cited Hatcher, "Sammy's Motives." Ode to Friendship and Other Essays: Student Writing in the Virginia Harper Anthology of Fiction. Ed Sullivan Barnett, 1989. 1026-1030.