The Hidden Theme of A&P by John Updike

“A & P” by John Updike is the story of a man who opposes societal norms by embracing his true sexual orientation; While this is not the commonly agreed upon theory, careful analysis leaves no doubt as to its veracity. The unfolding of the true argument is managed via the use of constant clues distributed throughout each of the five aspects of formal plot structure.
Beginning with positioning the protagonist (Sammy) in the third slot of the check out line and then labeling slots three through seven as being “unmanned”, John Updike, makes it clear that Sammy sees himself as different (not a man). A flat character that was glad to “trip him up” because she had probably never seen a mistake before-- the mistake being Sammy’s sexual orientation-- reveals the similar views of society. These suspicions stirring early in the exposition give us a hint as to where the author is going with this story.
The developing of the issue is centered on the young girls’ trip ...