Conventional values such as chivalry and the old fashioned lifestyle between a man and a woman was the way of life back in the 1800-1900's. "The Yellow Wallpaper" was written in 1892 and "A&P" was written in 1961. Standards in these societies were a far cry from how society runs nowadays. "The Yellow Wallpaper", by Charlotte Perkins Gilman's shows us not only the mentality of a husband during this time period, but also that of a professional. John, the narrator's husband AND doctor, keeps his wife estranged from family and friends, including her own child, to recover from what we now call postpartum blues. While Sammy, the young store clerk, from John Updike's story "A&P", shows us how a young boy believes chivalry is the decisive way into a girl's heart to defend her honor. .
The dictionary defines conventional values to be when one conforms or adheres to the accepted standards. These values are usually something different for different societies of people, and can change over time as the circumstances of the people who make up the society change. Most people have conventional values that they learned from their parents, teachers and/or peers. They typically say 'here are the rules to live in reasonable harmony with other people.' From the late 1800's to mid-1900's men's roles were clearly defined and socially expected. Woman were not to voice their thoughts and feelings nor were they supposed to prance into grocery stores with their bikinis on. They were to adhere to society's belief that 'Man knows best,' and 'morality comes in clothes on.' These beliefs were quite common during these times when the man was assumed to be the provider, the leader, and the protector. .
The narrator in "The Yellow Wallpaper" shows a certain respect for her husband, John, throughout the story. Although, in her mind, she believes her own thoughts to be more relevant than Johns at time, she rarely talks back or argues with him.