"There was this chunky one, with the two-piece -- it was bright green and the seams on the bra were still sharp and her belly was still pretty pale so I guessed she just got it (the suit)- there was this one, with one of those chubby berry-faces, the lips all bunched together under her nose, this one, and a tall one, with black hair that hadn't quite frizzed right, and one of these sunburns right across under the eyes, and a chin that was too long-you know, the kind of girl other girls think is very 'striking' and 'attractive' but never quite makes it, as they very well know, which is why they like her so much-and then the third on, that wasn't quite so tall." (Updike 17)
This passage is important as a whole, in my interpretation. It is pretty blatant ridicule-speaking lowly of those he is looking at, as though they are not worth a second look. Of course there is the third on, which after this passage the author moves on to describe her "flaunted" beauty. He spends a lot of time describing these traits with a tone that comes off as negative and unattractive. But in the end, he leaves his job, unknowing what the future will hold for him, for these girls. He gives up everything that he currently has in order to make a stand and defend all three of these ladies. When he leaves, he looks for the girls, not just the "Queenie". It is interesting how much of the story is either describing "Queenie's" remarkable attributes or the others uncertainty, yet, in the end, looks to defend them all.
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