Why I Live at the P.O.

Independence Versus Lack of Autonomy is a key theme. How does the narrator view independence? Does Sister achieve her goal? Why or why not? Use supporting evidence from the text.

Do you find the characters in “Why I Live at the P.O.” to be sympathetic? Why or why not? Provide evidence from the story to support your viewpoint.

Welty frequently makes use of colloquialisms throughout the story. Choose three of these expressions and share how they root the story in its time and place.

Perspective is an important part of this story. How would the story change if it had a different narrator, or multiple narrators? Would anything stay the same?

Gender and racial inequities are illustrated by this text. How is the story a product of its time and place? Use supporting examples from the story as well as from history.

At the end of the story, the narrator claims, “I want the world to know I’m happy” (52). What does Sister mean by “the world,” and why does she make this statement? Use evidence from the text to support your viewpoint.

Consider the characters of Papa-Daddy and Uncle Rondo. What messages does Welty offer about masculinity or patriarchy through these characters?

Some critics call the main character an unreliable narrator. Is Sister’s narration reliable? Why or why not? Use evidence from the text to support your viewpoint.