The Use of Setting in A and P

The setting of “A & P” is quite usual for a regular grocery store on a weekday. The town is north of Boston, five miles from the beach. Since the store is right in the middle of town, banks and churches and the newspaper store can been seen from the front doors. The day is Thursday, so there is not very much business. Outside, the sun can be seen on the pavement. The main character, Sammy, …

…lovely ladies, so he decides to become their hero. He tells Lengel that he is quiting. He then takes off his apron, folds it and places A & P’s bowtie on top. As he walks out the door into the parking lot, into the hot sun, he realizes how hard life will soon be for him. Lengel probably views this statement as immature, but to Sammy, he is standing up for what he belives in.