’sbeenafriendofmyparentsforyears.“Sammy, youdon’twanttodothistoyourMomandDad,” ’strue, Idon’’, “Sammy” stitchedinredonthepocket, andputitonthecounter, , ifyou’veeverwondered.“You’llfeelthisfortherestofyourlife,” Lengelsays, andIknowthat’strue, too, butrememberinghowhemadethatprettygirlblushmakesmesoscrunchyinsideIpunchtheNoSaletabandthemachinewhirs“pee-pul” , Icanfollowthisupwithacleanexit, there’snofumblingaroundgettingyourcoatandgaloshes, Ijustsaunterintotheelectriceyeinmywhiteshirtthatmymotherironedthenightbefore, andthedoorheavesitselfopen, andoutsidethesunshineisskatingaroundontheasphalt.
Ilookaroundformygirls, butthey’regone, ’tanybodybutsomeyoungmarriedscreamingwithherchildrenaboutsomecandytheydidn’, overthebagsofpeatmossandaluminumlawnfurniturestackedonthepavement, IcouldseeLengelinmyplaceintheslot, , asifhe’djusthadaninjectionofiron, andmystomachkindoffellasIfelthowhardtheworldwasgoingtobetomehereafter.
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1) IsSammy’squittingaformofrebellionorastatementofsomesort? Ifyes, whatisherebellingagainst?
2) OnwhatphenomenaisUpdikecommentinginthisshortstory? What’stheconnectionbetweensexualtitillation, achaingrocerystore, andarebelwithoutacause?
3) WhatmakesSammyquit? Whywashenotsosadaboutit?
4) Isthegirls’ behavioritselfakindofstatementorrebellionofsomesort? WhatmessagearetheysendingbywalkingintotheA&Pintheirbathingsuits?
5) WhatissignificantaboutthelanguageSammyusestodescribethegirls’ bodies?
