Altruism and Interconnectedness in Short Texts

Lesson 7
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ELA

Unit 1

10th Grade

Lesson 7 of 11

Objective


Analyze Sammy’s characterization and narrative perspective to unpack central ideas in “A&P.”

Readings and Materials


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Target Task


Writing Prompt

How does John Updike use Sammy’s characterization and narrative perspective to reveal central ideas in “A&P”?

Criteria for Success

  • Thesis: Responds to the prompt with a thesis that presents a defensible interpretation
  • Evidence: Includes multiple and varied evidence to support your line of reasoning
  • Commentary: Explains how your evidence supports your line of reasoning (reason or claim used to support a larger thesis)
  • Sophistication: Demonstrates sophistication of thought or develops a complex literary argument

Sample Response

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Key Thinking


Annotation Focus

What words and phrases in the text reveal Sammy’s character? What words and phrases in the text reveal Sammy’s narrative perspective?

Scaffolding Questions

How does Sammy describe the three girls? What does his description of the three girls reveal about his character?

How does Sammy describe the A&P customers and employees? What does his description of the customers and employees reveal about his perspective on working at the grocery store?

Why does Sammy quit his job at A&P? What impact does his decision have on how the readers view him?

What is the tone in the final two paragraphs of the story? How does Sammy’s comment, “my stomach kind of fell as I felt how hard the world was going to be to me hereafter” enhance the tone?

  • How does this tone compare to the tone in the opening paragraphs?
  • Why does Updike make this decision to shift the tone?

Discourse Questions

What is the significance of Sammy's narration in the last sentence of the short story? What does it reveal about Sammy and the central ideas in the text?

Vocabulary


Text-based

haggling

v.

to dispute or bargain over the cost of something

saunter

v.

walk in a slow, relaxed manner, without hurry or effort

racy

adj.

having a distinctively lively and spirited quality

nubble

n.

a small lump

galosh

n.

a waterproof overshoe, typically made of rubber

delinquency

n.

minor crime, especially that committed by young people

Homework


  • Read and annotate “The World Is Too Much with Us.”
    • Annotation Focus: What does the speaker believe about the world? 

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Standards


  • LO 1.3B — Analyze how the writer's use of stylistic elements contributes to a work of literature's effects and meaning.
  • RL.9-10.3 — Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme.

Supporting Standards

LO 1.3A
LO 2.3A
LO 5.1A
LO 5.1B
RL.9-10.1
RL.9-10.2
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Lesson 6

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Lesson 8

Lesson Map

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