In the short story A & P, the narrator, Sammy, leaves the reader with his final thought of .". I felt how hard the world was going to be to me hereafter." Depending on the reader, this could mean one of a few different interpretations.

It is said shortly before this point in the story that Sammy does not want to do this to his parents. Lengel says this to him and he realizes he is right but is too stubborn to take back what he has already said about quitting. This thought shows his immaturity because he is given an opportunity to re-think his somewhat foolish behavior.

Some readers may say that the world would be harder by looking at the obvious and saying that his parents will be disappointed with him. This does not seem to be true. The reason this does not...