A&P

The kid in A&P is a lot more than just some horny teenager, trying to pick up hot babes. It's obvious to me that this story is about more than just that. The independence he wanted so badly and found in his job was taken away when he defended the independence of another(the 3 girls). I think that brings on a whole other side to growing up and gaining wisdom. A job will give you responsibility, self worth and financial stability but standing up for someone who's outside the box, and even admirable compared to your boring normal life, shows a real voice.
I don't deny the fact that Sammy wanted some attention from these girls but his transition into the next part of his life really made that decision to quit more about his beliefs and view on morality and respect than trying to impress Queenie and her friends. He envied the way they presented themselves even though he maybe didn't realize it in that moment. Most of us do secretly envy these crazy people who live on the edge and don't follow a structured path. We sit in our desk chairs with our 9-5's and wonder when the next really great, insane, out of this world thing will happen. And it usually never does.
Without people like Queenie and her friends we'd be even more hopeless. At least we can sit back, watch these people, and dream we had enough balls to be like them.