More Resources

John Updike, Outage

John Updike, Outage

Read Outage and check your comprehension by answering the following questions. Then “submit” your work.

1. Brad Morris, the main character,

manages a boutique on Newbury Street in Boston.

owns a health-food store.

works at home.

is preparing to leave on a business trip to Chicago.

2. The power outage affects Brad’s work and plans because

he must drive to town, where there is electricity.

he cannot complete his preparations to leave town.

he must help his neighbor whose home has lost power.

without electricity, there is nothing to do.

3. When Brad visits the health-food store, the transaction in the dark with the proprietress, curly-haired, perpetually tan Olivia

upsets him when she cannot give him change from his purchase.

makes him feel he still has some control.

reminds him of another encounter when the lights went out.

feels flirtatious to him.

4. Driving back home, Brad sees

an accident.

Myra, the bank teller.

a tree across the road.

Lynne Willard, a wispy blonde neighbor, walking along the road.

5. Brad’s attempt at recreational sex is ended when

Brad’s wife drives up to the house searching for him.

the woman’s husband returns unexpectedly.

the electricity comes on.

the woman notices that he is significantly older than she is.