“A & P” by John Updike
 The
era of "A & P" is the late 1950's, early 1960's,
where social conservatism was mirrored in the dress
code and when conformity was the measure of
popularity and morality.
 The culture of the time (US History Review!):
 economic prosperity after the war
 Baby Boom
 "keeping up with the Jones'" mentality
 consumerism was on the rise
 conformity
 suburbs
 conservative dress
 The
manager epitomizes the era.
 After reading the story consider what you think
Sammy symbolizes.
“A & P” Vocabulary
 This
term is not in the story, but it is a
important vocabulary term that will help
deepen your analysis of the story.
 commodification:
to turn into an economic
good or product; something to buy and sell
 Keep
in mind that this term does not always
apply to inanimate objects. It can apply to
humans too.
“A & P” Anticipation Activity
 In
an interview with PBS, John Updike, the author of this
short story, said, “with any short story you try to write first
sentences that will in some way pique the readers'
interest, and then a lot of middle, and then you try to
write a last sentence that will in some way close the
case, close the issue, resolve it all, and leave him or her
with a satisfied feeling of having seen a complete
picture.”
“A & P” Anticipation Activity
 First
line of the story: “In walks these three girls in
nothing but bathing suits.”
 Last
line of the story: “His face was dark and his
back stiff, as if he’d just had an injection of iron,
and my stomach kind of fell as I felt how hard
the world was going to be to me hereafter.”
 Directions:
Use theses lines, the information we
have already discussed, and the cards your
group has to predict the plot of the story. DO
NOT simply reread the cards in your
presentation. Use this information to infer and
predict the setting and plot of the story.
“A & P” Analysis Questions
 Remember—up
through 9th grade, your
teachers mainly pushed you to get the main
ideas of what you read.
 In later grades, we push you for depth and
analysis. You should strive to understand why
authors make particular choices:


What viewpoint does the author espouse?
How do the author’s word choices and details impact
a reader’s understanding? Go beyond the surface!
 Use
the questions given to you to help deepen
your understanding and analysis of this story.