In John Updike's "A&P," Sammy a nineteen year old checker at a local grocery store meets three bathing beauties who inadvertently end up affecting his entire life. ... Updike suggests that adolescence is an impulsive age as well as a rite of passage into adult hood. ... Updike allows Sammy, the main character, to narrate, giving the reader insight to his personality and background. ... Updike's sexual descriptions allude to the thoughts of adolescent boys of this age group. ... Sammy indicates he is bored with his humdrum surroundings of the A&P. ...

• Word Count: 1283
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• 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

Updike's "A & P" tells the story of a checkout boy, Sammy, who quits his job after his boss Mr. ... For example, Updike notes that as soon as the three girls appear in the A & P, the "sheep" -- Sammy's word for the run-of-the-mill customers who plod through the store, pushing their shopping carts, following their prescribed routes -- react to their presence with amazement; "You could see them, when Queenie's white shoulders dawned on them, kind of jerk, or hop, or hiccup, but their eyes snapped back to their own baskets and on they pushed." ... Lengel warns him that "You"ll fee...

• Word Count: 1947
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School