Thesis: The theme of conservative vs. radical is conveyed in "A & P," by analyzing the characters, symbolism and setting.
             II. Characters convey the theme of conservative vs. radical.
             A. The main character who helps convey the theme of conservative vs. radical in "A&P" is Sammy, a dynamic character. Sammy is a radical person, trapped in a conservative job and environment.
             1. "...my stomach kind of fell as I felt how hard the world was going to be to me hereafter." (Updike 610)
             2. Sammy has just let the rebel in him come out in the conservative environment of the store thinking that the girls will take notice; when they don't seem to care, he realizes that being a rebel is going to make his life a lot harder.
             B. Other characters who help convey the theme of conservative vs. radical are the three girls. They are static characters throughout the story and are rebels.
             1. "...the girls were walking against the usual traffic....You could see them, when Queenie's white shoulders dawned on them, kind of jerk, or hop, or hiccup..." (Updike 607)
             2. These girls are such rebels, not only do they walk into a grocery store wearing bikinis, they also walk against the flow of traffic; they don't conform to anything.
             C. Lengel is the main character who conveys the theme of conservative vs. radical for the conservative side. He is a static character throughout and is a conformist.
             1. "...he concentrates on giving the girls that sad Sunday-school-superintendent stare." (Updike 609)
             2. Lengel believes in rules and policies, he teaches Sunday school and he is a manager, so he is an authority figure. He doesn't like these girls violating the dress code in his store.
             D. The shoppers also help convey the theme of conservative vs. radical. The shoppers are conformists and are static characters.
             1. "A couple of customers that had been headin...