Why does Sammy Quit His Job?

In the short story “A&P”, the character Sammy quits his job for a few different reasons. In the podcast professor Higgins suggest that she quits for two different reasons. Sammy wants to impress the girls. The other reason was because; Sammy mentions that once you make a decision it is fatal not to go back on it. I agree with both reasoning’s. I also agree with both professors that it is a happy ending. Sammy wanted to impress the girls. He felt embarrassed for them the way that his manager reprehended them. I also think he felt it was his job to defend them, because they were so close to his age. I do not think the manager needed to cause such a scene; they were already paying and then would leave. Also, Sammy mentioned about how the women dress in sweat pants and pin curls. Sammy might have felt that if the manager is going to say something to the young girls, maybe he should let the older woman know that they are inappropriate as well. A woman’s shoulders’ being covered doesn’t make the outfit appropriate or not.

I could also even understand if he just said politely to wear shoes next time. Sammy mentioned that he usually goes and hides in the office every other day. The attire that the young ladies were wearing was really that important to go and embarrass them. I can understand why Sammy was annoyed. There are plenty of people who can relate to this short story. Their version might not end so happy. It is easy to get comfortable at a job after high school and work your way up, and never leave. I enjoy this ending because I was Sammy before and I remember having similar feelings. But, I stayed in the comfortable environment until my late twenties. Sammy has the rest of his life to go out and pursue his dreams and goals. Staying comfortable at the A&P, doesn’t always end up with people living out their dreams.