Short Story by John Updike

Definition: A writer's attitude toward subject, audience, and self.subject, audience, and self. Tone is primarily conveyed in writing through diction, point of view, syntax, and level of formality.diction, point of view, syntax, and level of formality.

word choice the speaker's distinctive vocabulary choices and style of expression in a poem or story. A difference in word choice can convey different meanings or different ideas: Phrases such as “the little house,” “the diminutive house,” and “the petite house” have overlapping or synonymous meanings; but “little” may suggest endearment as well as size; “diminutive,” good construction; and “petite,” prettiness. (“Diction” – Encyclopedia Britannica)

If you were in Sammy’s position, would you have made the same decision? Explain. What do you think Sammy means when he says, “Now here comes the sad part of the story, at least my family says it’s sad, but I don’t think so myself”? (page 531) In what way are issues of social class present in the story? How do social class differences impact the relationships between the characters?

Can Sammy’s actions be considered heroic in any way? Explain. What do you think motivated Sammy to quit? Was it only a desire to impress the girls, or was it something more than that?

First, discuss your responses to the questions that were posed at the beginning of class today. Second, read the quotes that you identified from the story and discuss the narrator’s tone toward the customers and the girls. (If somebody in your group uses a precise, accurate word to describe tone, feel free to add it to your own homework paper.) Finally, if you have time, discuss the plot structure diagram that you completed for the story. Do you agree on the conflict, the climax, and the resolution for the story? Explain the reasoning for your choices.

Is it wrong to wear swimsuits in a grocery store? Give reasons for your answer.

How might this quote connect to the ideas in the story “A & P”? “Whoso would be a man, must be a nonconformist. He who would gather immortal palms must not be hindered by the name of goodness, but must explore it if it be goodness. Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson from Self-Reliance and Other Essays

What is the theme or message of this story? What does the story suggest about conformity? conformity |k ə n ˈ fôrmitē| compliance with standards, rules, or laws: conformity to regulations | the goods were in conformity with the contract. behavior in accordance with socially accepted conventions or standards: loyalty to one's party need not imply unquestioning conformity. similarity in form or type; agreement in character: these changes are intended to ensure conformity between all schemes.

Sometimes standing up for a principle is more important than a job. Society is filled with people who conform, and those who do not conform are often criticized or ostracized. The story suggests that it is ultimately better to accept the difficulties that result from nonconformity than to sacrifice one’s individuality and principles in order to earn society’s acceptance and approval.

Definition- the use of an object, person, situation or word to represent something else, like an idea, in literature Examples: 1. Lamb- 2. Sunrise- 3. Throwing a weapon on the ground- 4. Burning letters or photographs from an ex-boyfriend or girlfriend- 5. The Color Green- - purity, sacrifice, innocence - the beginning of something - a desire to stop fighting - ending one’s relationship with that person - inexperience, envy

Sometimes a character’s actions can have symbolic meaning. On the bottom of page 532 and the top of 533, examine Sammy’s actions after he tells the manager that he quit. What might his actions symbolize? Taking Off his Apron and Bowtie Punching the “No Sale” Button on the Cash Register Walking Outside to See the “…sunshine skating around on the asphalt.”