is set in a middle class suburban town, five miles from a wealthy beach colony, located some where in New England. The A & P market where Sammy is working is the "prototype of a modern super market" and is located right in the middle of town. It was a time when "conservative dress mirrored conservative social values" (Wilson 6). The people living in this town dreamed of having a "family, car, and the other modern conveniences that would make them equal to others of their social standing" (7). Conformity was a trend of the time and anyone who did not fit into the common mold was an outsider and an outcast. Many young people began to feel oppressed and started to rebel against society. Sammy is a good example of one of the rebels. He knows how he is supposed to act and he knows what the rules but "he does not admire the 'sheep' who so willingly follow them" (7). The three girls, wearing nothing but bathing suits, are introduced into this world.
             A & P has a lot of symbolism. The majority of symbolism is what McFarland calls "brand name symbolism", which is more then simply an appropriate projection of the setting (18). In the Beginning of the story, Sammy associates himself with HiHo crackers; "they are a fitting symbol for him- an ordinary, middle class (not Ritz crackers) snack item" (18). According To McFarland, this represents lightheartedness and high spirits (18). On the contrary
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