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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Stokesie says to the narrator, "Oh" (7) what?

2. At which register is Stokesie working throughout the story?

3. The narrator describes the young woman to whom he refers as "Queenie" (5) as being "more than" (3) what?

4. The narrator says that there are citizens of his town who have not seen what "for twenty years" (10)?

5. To what is the narrator referring when he discusses Stokesie's "fuselage" (8)?

Short Essay Questions

1. Discuss the way in which Sammy objectifies the three young women.

2. Besides dressing differently than everyone else in the store, how else do the young women stand out?

3. What is the setting of the story "A and P"?

4. Who is the protagonist of the story "A and P"?

5. What sorts of details does Updike use to portray the appearance of the store and why?

6. On what evidence does Sammy base his conclusion that one particular young woman is the leader?

7. What is ironic about Sammy's reaction when he sees McMahon ogling the young women?

8. What is Stokesie's family situation?

9. How is the animal motif included within Paragraphs 1-6?

10. Discuss how Updike uses language to indicate the character traits of Sammy.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the reasons why “A and P” uses a first-person narrator and a plot that unfolds in real time. What elements of the story's themes lend themselves to these choices and what are Updike’s intended effects on the reader?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze Updike’s story from an Existential perspective. What elements of life does it suggest hold the most meaning and why?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze Sammy’s fascination with the bodies of the three young women who enter the store in their bathing suits. Conduct an online inquiry that will allow you to understand the context of Updike’s possible messages more fully. Consider the fact that the story was first in 1961 as you conduct your research. Then combine your research with your analysis of the story and answer the prompt.

(see the answer keys)

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