A&P by John Updike

Well written short story that captures the advent of the rebellious sixties. Published in 1962, the short story narrates a young teenage boy observing three girls entering the grocery shop. Other than the theme of breaking social norms, I believe that the author is trying to paint the picture of early 1960s. With social constraints like the Hays Code which inhibit sexual and violent content in the movies and the notion of happy housewife, the society is under much distress and eager to find a pathway to express itself. In early 1960s, most baby boomers are around 18 years old. With new portable radio and other inventions, the young generation are given ways to go against the social norms. The short story fits perfectly in this historic context, illustrating a teenage boy who is sick of the constraint of norms and looking for ways to express himself. Although the roads ahead is rough and unpredictable, following the his parents' generation is repulsive and not an option.

Hills Like White Elephant

The fiction resonates with me deeply. The simple use of dialogue attracts and retains my interest in the storyline, eager to find out what the operation is. Although the first time reading the story did not paint the full picture of the story, I was fully intrigued to the couple's frustration. Hemingway meticulously crafts the story to shed light on couple's problem. I see the frustration that the couple possessed as a necessary process. In a healthy relationship, both sides should sacrifice and search for common ground regarding the conflict. Since no one is the same, different beliefs may intrude and alienate each other, only compromising is the most efficient vehicle to resolve the dispute. After reading the fiction, I'm leaning toward Jill's position. Jill may be young but her devotion to the relationship cannot be ignored. As opposed to Jill, the American man seems disingenuous who perpetually asks Jill to comply to his proposition. In this case, the American man should let the baby be born naturally, if he truly cares about the relationship with Jill. Abortion is a mark that will never be washed away in Jill's memory, and the man should not take this matter lightly.