Revisiting "A&P" for Theme

Question 1

what textual evidence about power could lead to theme

Answer 1

• Sammy and the girls are powerless; they do what others tell them
• the only person with power is the store manager
• even though 19, society still looks at Sammy as a powerless kid

Question 2

what is the author saying about power? look for textual evidence

Answer 2

• Sammy goes through a power struggle with his loss and then quits; his grasp for power is fruitless
• Sammy knows this but struggles for power anyway
• Sammy fights “the man” (store manager) and loses

Question 3

thematic statement ex.

Answer 3

• those without power will have a difficult time getting it

- fighting the man is an uphill battle

Question 4

what is the author saying about principles?

Answer 4

• Sammy sees that he isn’t gaining much from his principles, (in this case, standing up for the girls, who ignore him)
• However even though maybe wrong, Sammy feels compelled to stand for what he believes in, for his “principles”
• our principles, however wrong, are important to maintain

Question 5

what is the author saying about “appearances”?

Answer 5

• the girls are chastised for their appearance
• the store manager chastises the girls and sends them out of the store because of their “appearance” - of what they are wearing
• right or wrong, appearances matter

Question 6

what is the best way to find theme

Answer 6

look at the big picture and at what emotion or human experience the author is exploring

Question 7

which word describes all the characters with the exception of Lengel

Answer 7

powerless

Question 8

noble and global theme

Answer 8

he who is angry hurts himself

Question 9

what does Updike suggest about fighting the metaphorical “man”

Answer 9

it will likely lead to an uphill struggle, but can sometimes prove powerful