"A & P", written by John Updike, tells the story of a nineteen year old checkout boy named Sammy, who suddenly quits his job after his boss, Mr. ... Updike weaves his theme past the obvious generation gap deep into the character contrasts that ultimately cause Sammy's own personality and values to surface and suddenly erupt to the point of no return, leaving him to face the consequences of his actions. It is a slow summer afternoon when three young, scantily clad girls come into the downtown A&P grocery. ... Sammy especially related to Updike's descriptive statement, "the girls ...

• Word Count: 771
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

A&P "A & P by John Updike is a very descriptive and comical account of an adolescent's brief encounter with a group of three girls while working his daily shift. ... This makes it evident that working as an A&P cashier is not the most exciting of jobs. ... Updike contrasts them to the dull "checker-board green and cream-rubber-tile floor (469)."" ... And above that, the A&P is in the middle of the town. ... Updike again uses very funny but very true to life descriptions of where the girls emerge from around the store. ...

• Word Count: 1524
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

Independence In John Updike's "A&P," Sammy is a grocery store clerk that is bored with his life. ... Lengel tells him to stay in his slot and check out the customers, his parents want him to work at the A&P, and his life is controlled by decisions made by others. ... In the structure of the store, customers only go one way down the aisles, and everybody follows the unwritten rules of the A&P. ... Three girls coming into the A&P wearing nothing but bathing suits, not a sight usually seen in the eyes of Sammy. ...

• Word Count: 913
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School