Lust Rather Than Reason The short story "A&P", by John Updike, proves that it is human nature for lust to greatly influence one's actions. ... Sammy had a stable job at the A&P, but three young girls in swimsuits whom had no idea they even had an impact upon him, caused him to throw it away. ... In "A&P", lust made Sammy quit his job, and left the reader wondering what he was going to do now that he threw it away for no reasonable cause. ... Sammy, in The story, "A&P" is the perfect example of human nature and its irrepressible actions when provoked by lust. ...

• Word Count: 778
• Approx Pages: 3
• 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