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A&P Questions PDF

This document provides discussion questions about the short story "A&P" by John Updike. The questions ask the student to analyze aspects of the story like how it represents 1960s American society, how the main character Sammy views different social classes, how various characters in the story react to each other, and themes around social norms. The student is directed to answer in complete sentences using evidence from the text.

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vishal kumar
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835 views1 page

A&P Questions PDF

This document provides discussion questions about the short story "A&P" by John Updike. The questions ask the student to analyze aspects of the story like how it represents 1960s American society, how the main character Sammy views different social classes, how various characters in the story react to each other, and themes around social norms. The student is directed to answer in complete sentences using evidence from the text.

Uploaded by

vishal kumar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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A&P by John Updike

AP English Literature/ Mr. Mendelsohn/ VHHS Multimedia Magnet

DIRECTIONS: Answer the following questions in complete sentences based on your


reading of John Updike’s short story, A&P. Answers must use specific quotes (CDs)
from the story to support your answers. Work should be word-processed, using 12 pt.
TNR font, double-spaced.

1. What characteristics of American society in the years leading up to the date of


publication of the story (1960) are represented here? How does Sammy feel about
contemporary societal values? Refer to the author’s diction (word choice) in your
response.

2. How/why does Sammy contrast his family parties with what he imagines about the
parties of Queenie’s family? Would he prefer hers over his? Why/why not? Which
specific words (diction) most indicate Sammy’s state of mind?

3. How do the customers in the supermarket react to the appearance of Queenie and her
friends? How does the manager Lengel react to them? How do the other employees
react to them?

4. Analyze the author’s use of diction (word choice), syntax (word/sentence order) and
imagery to show Queenie and her friends’ circuit around the store. How does this
support the structure/theme of the story?

5. Why does Sammy quit his job? Does he hope to gain anything by doing so?

6. Explain the last sentence of the story. What tone does he seem to be taking?

7. Why is the first-person narration of this story appropriate to the tone and theme? Is
Sammy a totally reliable narrator, or is there some irony directed at him by the author?

Revised 9/2011

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