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Marxist Approach Marx’s Beliefs: Philosophy was meant to be used as a tool to bring about change. The capitalist system caused the alienation of the workers, therefore causing them not to be able to live to the fullest http://ragingdove12603. tripod. com/id13. html Queen, Plaid, and Big Tall Goony-Goony walk into A in “nothing but bathing suits”, and don’t “even have shoes on”. The girls walking in “naked” and “barefoot” can represent a Marxist class struggle. Sammy’s high admiration and observance from behind the cashier towards these girls in the story portrays a Marxist class struggle.
He views the girls, especially Queenie, as superior and high-class, and compares himself and the place he works in as “crummy”. In this case, it’s Sammy who is “the working-class”, and he tries doing something about his position/status by quitting his job for these high-class girls. He doesn’t see working at A or his manager Lengal as desirable as he sees the class of these girls. He struggles in the end with his decision: “Looking back in the big windows . . . I could see Lengel in my place in the slot . . . and my stomach kind of fell as I felt how hard the world was going to be to me hereafter. Feminist Approach: Sammy as a possible girl “Being naked approaches being revolutionary; going barefoot is mere populism” ??? John Updike Populism is a “political philosophy supporting the rights and power of the people in their struggle against the privileged elite. ” “You know, it’s one thing to have a girl in a bathing suit on the beach . . . and another thing in the cool of the A&P, under the fluorescent lights . . . with her feet paddling along naked over our checkerboard green-and-cream rubber-tile floor. Perhaps Sammy emphasizes “her” descriptions of the three girls, because she admires their revolution of having to be working women/women under “policy” and desires their courage and freedom to be “different”. Or perhaps Sammy desires the freedom and luxury (power) the girls have. By entering A&P “naked” and “barefoot” the girls show power/voice to be seen, something uncommon for most girls during the time. They face the consequence of Lengal. Sammy witnessing Lengalembarrass the girls quits to stand up for them, but doesn’t catch their attention.