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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. In what way does Sammy describe the change he provides to the young woman he calls "Queenie" (5)?

2. When the narrator imagines the home of the young woman he calls "Queenie" (5), what are the men at the party wearing?

3. The narrator states that what "the others want is" (19) what?

4. As the young woman referred to as "Queenie" (5) answers Lengel, she takes what action?

5. The narrator says that the sound of one young woman's voice immediately takes him to what location?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what way do food similes enter the story and for what purpose does Updike use them?

2. What clues does Sammy utilize in order to detect the class of the young woman he dubs "Queenie" (5)?

3. Which comment of Lengel's causes the young woman dubbed "Queenie" (5) to get angry rather than embarrassed?

4. In what way does Sammy react to Lengel's mention of policy?

5. Of what crime does Sammy accuse Lengel when he quits?

6. In what way do the themes of guilt and responsibility enter the narrative?

7. Why does Sammy use haste when saying "I quit" (22) the first time?

8. How is the theme of family bonds depicted within Sammy's reply to Lengel's claim about the harm inflicted by the young women?

9. How does Updike demonstrate Sammy's lack of experience with girls and women?

10. In what way does Updike use the animal motif within the customers' reaction to the scene involving Lengel and the young women?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

William Faulkner once famously claimed that the most important literature deals with the subject of the human heart in conflict with itself. Explain how the theme of Human versus Self is demonstrated within Updike’s story “A and P.” Create a decisive, arguable claim and prove it with quotes from the story.

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 Updike’s focus on the theme of class differences within the story. What message is Updike sending about class, privilege, and wealth?

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